Coneflower, Rudbeckia or black eyed susan whatever you call them, I call them beautiful. Rudbeckia bloom starts in early summer and depending on variety can bloom until frost. It is definitely one of the easiest perennials to grow.

Black eyed susan grows well in full sun to light shade and can tolerate dry conditions once it is established. If it needs water, it will show you by wilting in the middle of the day. A good watering will quickly revive it with no apparent damage done.

Rudbeckia is not considered invasive but will form a clump that will grow bigger each season and can be divided to provide you with new plants. The flowers which are daisylike, bloom on the end of 2 to 3 foot stems in different shades of yellow to gold. Although the common name is black eyed susan, the center of the flowers can be black or brown.

You can add black eyed susan to your perennial garden by either purchasing plants or starting them from seeds. There are also annual varieties of black eyed susan that are equally pretty and easy to grow. Annual and perennial black eyed susan may reseed in your garden.