Sweet black Eyed Susan Rudbeckia subtomentosa . The typical black eyed susan is a short lived plant. The ones usually in garden centers are variations of Rudbeckia fulgida. This one, sweet black eyed susan is a wonderful long lived sun loving plant that is perfect for butterfly/ pollinator gardens. It usually has longer, narrower petals.
Dormant plant
These plants have gone dormant, but are ready to plant for the upcoming season.
All of our plants are grown in fabric biodegradable pots that are 10x12cm (4-4.5”) We prefer to take off the pot when planting , but if heavy root growth makes removal difficult it can be left on. We like to cut/ rip the sides if you need to keep them on.
Dormant plant tips
• Moisture doesn’t dry up as fast in the winter as the summer, but if we go through prolonged dry spells, don’t forget to water. Just because they are not visibly growing doesn’t mean the can dry out.
• As long as the ground is workable (not frozen), we suggest planting in the ground soon after you receive them. Our plants are kept outside and are winter hardy. Even without foliage they will keep growing roots. If you are unable to plant them right away, we suggest placing them in heavy duty cardboard boxes in a protected location outside. Propping them up with newspaper or leaf litter. Up against a building works great. Grocers or warehouse stores often have old banana/ vegetable boxes available and they work great!
• Do not transfer them to old black plastic pots, They have inconsistent temperatures and do not provide aeration to the plant. Transferring our plants to them will often cause root shock and poor growth.
• Don’t try to “wake them up” early in a greenhouse or indoors. We keep our plants outside and they have natural schedules.
• Some natives like blue lobelia, cardinal flower, monkey flower, tall bell flower, and sneezeweed will keep low foliage all winter, but won’t start actively growing again till spring. We suggest covering these with pine needles, leaf litter, or a frost blanket to protectct them from heavy freezes.
• Native plants can come back up up at different times. Some species will be up in late winter (such easterners and nodding onion) while others wait until the ground has warmed in mid spring (such as legumes and passionflower). Don’t fret if some plants are up but yours have not yet.
• As all of our plants are intended for butterfly/ pollinator gardens, they have not been treated with anything.
• We take care when shipping our plants, but if you experience roughed up looking plants due to postal transit, do not worry. Our plants have good roots which is the most important thing and should start sending out new growth after planting.
• Most of our plants are native and some can be slow growing, go dormant early in their first year or two, or don’t flower right away. “First year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap!”
• Any questions, feel free to contact us. We want this to be an enjoyable experience.
All of our plants are grown in biodegradable fabric pots. The containers are around 4″x4 1/2″ May be planted in the pot or removed . Generally, I like to take them off and compost them, but if you leave them on, I like to rip the sides or score them with a knife for easier root penetration.
Tips for growing:
As our plants are intended for pollinator gardens, they have not been treated with anything. Native plants don’t need any fertilizer, but if you want to lightly use an organic fertilizer, it won’t hurt.
The best place for our plants is in the ground. Do not grow in black plastic nursery pots “till they get bigger” Black plastic pots do not provide good aeration, get very hot, and will cause root circling and poor growth. Although being small, native plants often grow extensive root systems, often more than the visible foliage. When planted in the ground they will have the best chance to work on their roots.
When it comes to native perennials, roots are the most important part. While foliage can be an indicator of good growth, you want to give these plants the best chance for root growth. Don’t worry about flowering, it will come. Encourage roots!
We take care in packing our plants for shipping, but plants ocassionally get bent, broken stems in transit. This can appear disappointing, but they have good roots and will quickly recover.
