Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Wednesday - May 02, 2007

From: Robbinsville, NJ
Region: Northeast
Topic: Pruning, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Should black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta) plants be cut back
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

I have black-eyed susan plants that were beautiful last year and flowered for a long time. Do they need to be cut back and if so, how much?

ANSWER:

It isn't really necessary to cut back Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan); but if you will deadhead them (i.e., remove the fading flowers before they set seed), it will prolong their flowering period.

Rudbeckia hirta

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