Originating from the central and eastern regions of the United States, Black-eyed Susan is a herbaceous flower belonging to the aster family. Today, Black-eyed Susan covers the majority of States across the country, especially in the warmer areas with well-drained, sandy soil.
Black-eyed Susan grows in prairies, fields, woodlands and you can plant them in your garden as well. This pioneering species is often the first flower to bloom in areas ravaged by wildfire, with over 90-species growing all across the country. They’re a favorite flower of wildlife photographers, with the raised “eye” holding on to gold and yellow petals.
These flowers reach heights of between 3 and 6-feet, and they grow abundantly in the wild. Adding the Black-eyed Susan to your garden doesn’t require any particular nutrients or attention, they’re a hardy species that grows easily throughout the summer.
Here are 14 interesting facts about Black-eyed Susan that you may not know.
1. The Maryland State Flower
The Black-eyed Susan made its inaugural appearance at the Maryland State flower during the Preakness Stakes Horse Race. Nowadays, you can find the flower adorning roadside verges, where it welcomes visitors to the Old Line State.
Named as the State flower in 1918, the Black-eyed Susan features 13-leaves – an interesting comparison to the original 13-colonies of the United States. Maryland is one of the original States from the colonial days, and the Black-eyed Susan is a symbol that bears the same colors as the State flag.
The Black-eyed Susan lends its name to the filly race that precedes the Preakness horse race, and the winner receives a blanket of the flowers. The flower also features as the name of a cocktail served during the event, although the drink doesn’t include any parts of the flower. The Black-eyed Susan grows readily all over the State of Maryland, and it requires little attention to thrive.