The Black-Eyed Susan takes its name from the black or dark brown flower head in its center. Bright yellow petals that resemble a daisy make this flower an eye-catching addition to any flower garden needing a pop of color. Black-Eyed Susans are rapidly growing flowers that grow in clumps. Seeds or seedlings should be planted outdoors after the last frost and will bloom throughout the summer and into early autumn. Seeds can also be started indoors in early March and transplanted after the fear of frost has passed. Black-Eyed Susans are native flowers to the United States. Historically, they were harvested by a variety of Native American tribes for medicial purposes. These flowers survive in a variety of soils, but their location should be well-drained. Black-Eyed Susans make excellent cut flowers for arrangements and vases. Left to bloom outside, they will attract a variety of butterflies, bees, and birds to your garden. Deadheading spent blossoms will encourage additional blooms throughout the season. Black-Eyed Susans are typically considered an annual plant, but they self-seed freely and will often return in your garden through self-seeding. The flowers are covered in small hairs, giving them a bristled of course texture. Black-Eyes Susans are a terrific choice for first time gardeners; the flowers are easily found at most nurseries within their hardiness zones, require nearly no watering, do not need special soil maintenance, withstand high heat, and have no major bug or disease problems. Black-Eyed Susans make a beautiful addtion to low maintenance wildflower gardens or in manicured gardens and landscaping. The flowers are especially popular in Maryland, where they are the state flower