500 HEIRLOOM Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) seeds Black Eyed Susan is a familiar roadside flower to many of us. It's sunshine colored flowers wave in the wind as we pass by at 60mph. Black Eyed Susan is a stiff, upright annual or perennial native to the eastern United States, but has become common throughout the U.S. The characteristic coco brown, domed center is surrounded by bright canary yellow ray florets. Black Eyed Susan thrives in most soils in full sun. Once established it can handle neglect and is very drought tolerant. Black Eyed Susan is excellent for those who want to xeriscape or need to save on water.