Black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar'

Questions about black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar'

Does black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' need sun or shade?

Black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' grows in full sun (6 or more hours of direct sun a day).

It wants ordinary well-drained soil, of average fertility, and a good soak in dry spells. Once settled in, it stands drought.

What zones does black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' grow in?

USDA zones 4 to 9. It is hardy to zone 4, which means it survives winter nights down to about −20 °F (−29 °C).

Gardening in Canada? Use the USDA zone for your town: Canada's own zone map uses different numbers.

When does black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' flower in my zone?

In zone 5 it flowers mid July to mid September. As a summer flower it moves about half a week for every zone: earlier where it is warmer.

Worked out from Hopkins' bioclimatic law: spring arrives about four days later for each degree of latitude north, and one zone is roughly two degrees. A warm spring or a cold one moves any garden two weeks either way.

How far apart should black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' be planted?

16 in (40 cm) apart, from the middle of one plant to the middle of the next. That is about its full width, so each plant keeps its own outline.

It grows 16 in (40 cm) tall. Give it the full distance from anything taller, or it will lean out towards the light.

How many black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' plants do I need?

At 16 in apart, set out in staggered rows:

• 7 to fill 10 square feet (about 1 m²)
• 8 for a single row 10 ft (3 m) long
• 21 to fill a 4 × 8 ft bed on its own

In a mixed border, plant it as a group of three or five, with a second group further along in the other number.

In the bed above, the planner used three in one group.

Is black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' poisonous to dogs and cats?

No toxicity is recorded for dogs, cats, horses or people, according to NC State Extension.

"Not toxic" is not "edible": a pet that eats a lot of any plant can be sick.

Is there a native plant like black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar'?

Black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' is not native to North America. These North American natives come closest to doing its job:

• Blanket flower 'Mesa Yellow': the same job in a bed, the same size and the same colour; flowers mid June to early October, wants dry soil.
• Goldenrod 'Golden Fleece': the same job in a bed, the same size and the same colour; flowers late August to early October.
• Tickseed 'Early Sunrise': the same job in a bed, the same size and the same colour; flowers early June to late August, wants dry soil.

Matched the way the planner's Swap button matches plants: the same job in a bed, then size, then flowering time.

Do deer eat black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar'?

Mostly not. NC State lists it as resistant to deer. No plant is proof against a hungry deer in a hard winter, but this one is low on the menu.

What flowers after black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar'?

Black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' is over by mid September. These start as it finishes and carry the same spot on, so it never goes flat:

• Garden chrysanthemum: from mid September to late October, 24 in tall.
• October daphne: from mid September to late October, 8 in tall, to stand in front of it and cover its fading stems.
• Meadow saffron: from mid September to mid October, 6 in tall, to stand in front of it and cover its fading stems.

What does black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' look like in winter?

Black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' dies down, but leave the stems standing: the seed heads stand through the winter, and songbirds eat the seed. Cut them down in early spring, before the new shoots come.

Is black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' good for bees and butterflies?

Black-eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar' is visited by bees, butterflies and songbirds.