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Little Goldstar Black - Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Little Goldstar'

  • Compact Knee-High Rudbeckia Little Goldstar Blooms Nonstop Summer Through Fall
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
  • Grows 16 ft Tall, 24 ft Wide
  • Showy Yellow Blooms From Late Summer to Early Fall
  • Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Give this perennial at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to ensure the compact habit stays tight and blooms remain prolific. While it tolerates partial shade, too little sun results in leggy stems and significantly fewer flowers.
  • Soil: Plant in well-drained soil, though this variety is surprisingly forgiving of clay or sandy textures as long as water doesn't pool around the roots. If you have heavy clay, mix in compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist for the first season to help the root system anchor itself. Once established, 'Little Goldstar' is reasonably drought tolerant, but providing weekly water during high summer heat ensures the foliage stays perky and flower production continues without pause.

Pruning Tips

This perennial blooms on new growth, so you should cut the dried foliage back to the ground in early spring before new shoots emerge. During the growing season, deadhead or snip off spent flowers to encourage the plant to send out a second flush of blooms rather than putting energy into seed production.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a slow-release, balanced granular fertilizer in early spring just as you see green growth starting. Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizers or feeding late in the summer, as this promotes weak, leafy growth that might flop over instead of producing the sturdy stems needed to hold up the flowers.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


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Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
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$150 - $198.99 $24.99
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Description

Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Little Goldstar') is a heavy-blooming, knee-high variety. It's a stand-out in any setting with its vibrant yellow-orange color. Black-Eyed Susans are a beloved native species that do well in most of the country with very little care. A Little Goldstar in your yard ensures a burst of sunshine from midsummer to fall!

The two-inch blossoms are yellow-orange sunbursts of color densely covering the rounded plant. Prominent, dark centers are a dramatic contrast to the brilliant, ray-petalled flowers. These showy blooms are a perfect foil for the dark green foliage.

Butterflies and honeybees add even more color to your yard, as Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan is a wonderful nectar source. There is hardly a moment when it won't be covered with helpful pollinators.

Little Goldstar is an incredibly hardy perennial. Leave the blooms on in the fall so songbirds can feast on the seeds of the dried cone. They'll also capture and sculpt the snow to add very welcome winter interest.

For bright, long-lasting color with little care, the Little Goldstar simply can't be beat! Gardeners like you have reported up to 80 flowers on a single plant! Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 9, these smaller perennials grow 12-18 inches wide and tall when in bloom.

Planting and Application:

This petite plant makes a wonderful focal point in the yard. Use these wonderful perennials as a long-blooming "ribbon" of color along the edge of your garden border.

Try them in large exterior containers, too. Use them as a single species, or add "Spillers" to the edges of your container to soften the look. They will look great on your patio or on either side of your front door.

They stay compact enough for the front of the bed as edging. These Rudbeckias can be a beautiful facer plant to leggy shrubs with bare stems, or even better in groupings that dazzle in the Cottage Garden and mixed perennial border. Can you imagine a mass planting of these blooms enlivening the sunny side of a mature evergreen tree?

Create a low-maintenance mass planting by spacing these herbaceous perennials 14 inches apart on center. You'll measure from the center of one to the center of the next.

They make a perfect housewarming present for a first-time homeowner. And smart, savvy homeowners rely on them for sunny borders. They give so much color, without requiring much work at all.

Cut stems of Little Goldstar and use them as a long-lived addition to cut flower arrangements. Don't forget to include the deep green foliage in your bouquet. Dry some of the season's last blooms by bunching them together with a rubber band, then hanging them upside down. Add dried Ornamental Grass blades and seed heads, bright Red Twig Dogwood branches and evergreen boughs for naturalistic winter decorations.

  • Improved Native Plant - Prolific Bloomer!
  • Brilliant Star-Shaped, Golden Yellow Flowers
  • Continuous Bloom from Midsummer through Fall
  • Rich Green Foliage Stays Small & Compact
  • Feeds Birds, Butterflies & Helpful Pollinators
  • Use in Containers, Borders, Cutting Gardens & Sun Garden Beds

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Winter-hardy, heat and drought-tolerant, and so easy to grow, Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan is a great plant for beginning gardeners. It won't require much care and is both rugged and durable. Plant in full, all-day sunlight or partial shade. It will need at least four hours of direct sun a day. Please note that the best blooms come from a planting site in full sun. These prairie plants do need well-drained soil. If you see puddles that remain long after rain, grow them in a raised bed or container.

Give brand-new plants careful watering during their first season in your landscape. Use the "Finger Test" to understand when to water. Poke your finger into the soil near the root ball. If it feels moist, no need to water that day. Check again soon. If it's getting dry, provide a medium amount of water. After the first season, you'll not need to provide supplemental water. This is true unless you have an extended drought. These perennials appreciate 3-4 inches of mulch over the entire root system for best results.

Remove spent flowers by using sharp scissors or garden snips. It only takes a moment or two, and deadheading the plants will greatly increase the flowering. Call it "me time" to enjoy your garden. Or, leave the dried plants standing over the winter. Birds will eat the seeds and you will enjoy winter interest! In early spring, cut the stalks off an inch above ground level.

  • Perfect In Sunny Gardens & Partial Sun
  • Widely Adaptable To Any Well-Drained Soil
  • Moderate to Low Moisture Needs
  • Deer Don't Tend to Bother This Plant
  • Easy to Grow, Great for Beginners

Very hardy and easy to grow, save room for these gorgeous native plants. Order the sunny Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan from Nature Hills Nursery today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zones is Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan hardy in?

  • Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9. This wide hardiness range means it can handle both cold northern winters and hot southern summers. Plant it confidently in most regions of the continental United States.

What type of soil does Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan prefer?

  • Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan thrives in well-draining soil and tolerates a wide range of conditions from average to poor soils. This hardy native perennial is quite adaptable and doesn't require rich, amended soil to perform well. Plant in full sun for best blooming results.

How often should I water Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan after planting?

  • Water newly planted Little Goldstar daily for the first week, then reduce to 2-3 times weekly until established. This hardy native requires minimal care once roots develop. After 4-6 weeks, natural rainfall is usually sufficient in zones 4-9.

Is Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan a fast-growing or slow-growing perennial?

  • Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan is a moderate-growing perennial that reaches its full 12-18 inch size within one growing season. It begins blooming in midsummer and continues through fall, with gardeners reporting up to 80 flowers per plant. Plant in spring for best establishment in zones 4-9.

Is Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan deer resistant?

  • Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan is generally deer resistant, as most Rudbeckia varieties are avoided by deer due to their coarse texture and strong scent. This native perennial's 12-18 inch compact size makes it perfect for front borders where deer browse most. Shop at Nature Hills for this hardy zones 4-9 performer.

Should I fertilize Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan and if so, how often?

  • Little Goldstar Black-Eyed Susan thrives with minimal fertilization since it's adapted as a hardy native perennial. A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is sufficient for zones 4-9. Over-fertilizing can reduce blooming and make the 12-18 inch plants floppy.

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