What to Plant With Black Eyed Susans

The Black-Eyed Susan, with its cheerful golden-yellow petals radiating from a dark center, is a fixture in summer gardens. Botanically known as Rudbeckia hirta, this low-maintenance bloomer brings a reliable splash of color from early summer until the first frost. Understanding which plants to pair with this garden favorite can elevate a simple planting into a cohesive and visually stunning display that creates a thriving, dynamic garden.

Choosing the Right Companions

Selecting partners for Black-Eyed Susans begins with matching their growing requirements. These plants thrive in locations that receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and prefer well-drained soil. They are also drought-tolerant once established, so any companion plant must also prosper in these same sun-drenched, average-soil conditions.

Beyond shared needs, garden design relies on visual interest. Pairing the bold, daisy-like shape of a Black-Eyed Susan with plants that have different forms, such as spiky flowers or feathery foliage, creates a layered look with varied textures. Using complementary colors like deep blues and purples next to the golden yellow of the Rudbeckia makes both hues appear more vibrant.

Top Perennials to Plant with Black-Eyed Susans

Perennials form the structural foundation of a garden bed. Several make outstanding companions for Black-Eyed Susans, providing color and form year after year.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

This plant shares nearly identical sun and soil preferences with Black-Eyed Susans. Its large, purple-pink flowers bloom at the same time, creating a popular color combination that draws in pollinators. The similar cone-shaped centers of both flowers also provide a pleasing, repeating form throughout the planting.

Salvia

For a contrast in both color and shape, the tall, spiky flowers of Salvia varieties like ‘May Night’ or ‘Caradonna’ introduce a strong vertical element. Their indigo and violet-blue shades break up the rounded habit of the Black-Eyed Susans. The cool-toned flowers also intensify the golden petals of the Rudbeckia.

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

This plant offers a different texture and a softer color palette. Its airy, lavender-blue flower panicles and silvery-gray foliage create a delicate, hazy effect that contrasts with the solid blooms of the Rudbeckia. This pairing provides visual interest from mid-summer into the fall, and its fine texture prevents the garden from feeling too dense.

Autumn Joy Sedum

To extend the season of interest, this succulent perennial is a superb choice. Its dense, mounding foliage acts as a green backdrop for Black-Eyed Susans during the summer. As summer wanes, the sedum develops large flower heads that open to a pale pink and deepen to a rich, coppery-rose in the fall, providing a new wave of color.

Incorporating Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses introduce texture, movement, and sound to garden beds. Their fine foliage and graceful habits provide a perfect foil for the bold texture of Black-Eyed Susans. When a breeze passes through, the grasses sway and rustle, bringing a dynamic quality to the planting that lasts into the winter months.

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a native prairie grass that makes an exceptional partner. It maintains a sturdy, upright form with blue-green foliage that doesn’t compete with the summer flowers. In autumn, its foliage transitions to striking shades of russet-orange and deep purple, complementing the last of the yellow blooms and providing winter interest.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is valued for its strong vertical structure and delicate, airy seed heads that appear in late summer. Cultivars like ‘Northwind’ offer a strictly upright form, while others have a more vase-like shape. The cloud-like plumes catch the light and soften the edges of the surrounding flowers.

Using Annuals for Fuller Displays

Annuals serve a valuable role in a garden designed around Black-Eyed Susans. They are ideal for filling in gaps between newly planted perennials, providing an immediate sense of fullness. Annuals also offer the flexibility to experiment with new color schemes each season without long-term commitment.

Zinnias are a superb annual companion, sharing a love for sun and heat. They are easy to grow from seed and are available in a vast spectrum of colors, allowing for either high-contrast or harmonious pairings. Their daisy-like or pom-pom flower forms add another layer of cheerful color to the planting.

For a more delicate and airy texture, Cosmos is an excellent choice. Its finely cut, fern-like foliage and slender stems create a sense of lightness and movement. Planting cosmos among Black-Eyed Susans can soften the overall look of the bed, and they bloom profusely from summer until frost.