Choosing Ontario Native plants for your garden is highly beneficial for various reasons. Native plants tend to be generally well adapted to their environment, meaning it will require little maintenance once established. It is also beneficial to wildlife providing nutritionally appropriate food as well as shelter for our region’s wildlife. Native plants attract pollinators like birds, bees, and butterflies. By choosing to plant native flower seeds you will be helping Ontario feed pollinators. Here is a guide to plant the following:
Black Eyed Susan Seeds (Rudbeckia hirta)
Description
Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia Hirta) a member of the daisy family, makes a statement in the garden wherever this perennial is planted. This favourite Ontario native plant blooms from July through September. Easy to grow, adaptable to most soils, trouble free and tolerant to heat and drought. Blooms well in full sun or light shade.
How to Grow
It is highly recommended to sow seeds outdoors from September through October. Choose a site that receives full sun. By sowing in fall any dormant seed will naturally stratify over the winter. Seeds can be started indoors in February to the beginning of march in a soil-less mix. Seeds require 20C (70 F) temperatures to Germinate in 14-21 days. Before transplanting outside be sure to harden off seedlings by allowing them to adjust to slightly cooler temperatures.
Black Eyed Susan Care
Once established your plant will require little to no maintenance. However, it will require deadheading of the spent blooms. Deadheading is good practice to stop or slow the spread of Black Eyed Susan flowers, as seeds are contained in the blooms.
To Harvest Seeds:
Dry flower on the stem to use for reseeding or replanting in other areas. Note: Seeds of this flower may not grow to the same height as the parent from which they were collected.
Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia Hirta) Seeds are now available in The Hamilton Seed Libraries. For For a full list of locations visit our webpage here.
Resources :
OSC Seeds : https://www.oscseeds.com/product/black-eyed-susan-rudbeckia-hirta/
Gardening Know How: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/black-eyed-susan/black-eyed-susan-flower.htm
The Hamilton Seed Library is a free initiative for all to borrow from! However, there are some costs associated with maintaining the program and ensuring seeds continue to be available for access. If you are enjoying your seeds, please help keep the program going by donating via E-transfer to director@greenventure.ca or on our DONATE page via PayPal.
