Black-Eyed Susan vs Bleeding Heart

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Bleeding Heart

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Papaveraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Bleeding Heart (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Bleeding Heart
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Family	Asteraceae	Papaveraceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	3'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow	Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Bleeding Heart

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Bleeding Heart

✓Plant ferns nearby to fill space when bleeding heart goes dormant.
✓Prefers cool, moist conditions.
✓Self-seeds in ideal conditions.
✓Toxic if ingested.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Bleeding Heart if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View Bleeding HeartProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Bleeding Heart grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Bleeding Heart grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Bleeding Heart have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Bleeding Heart needs part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Bleeding Heart?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Bleeding Heart reach approximately 3' in height, with spreads of 1' 6" and 2' respectively.

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Bleeding Heart deer resistant?

Yes, both Black-Eyed Susan and Bleeding Heart are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Bleeding Heart?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Bleeding Heart have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Bleeding Heart
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Family	Asteraceae	Papaveraceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	3'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow	Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Bleeding Heart

✓Plant ferns nearby to fill space when bleeding heart goes dormant.
✓Prefers cool, moist conditions.
✓Self-seeds in ideal conditions.
✓Toxic if ingested.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Bleeding Heart if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Bleeding Heart grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Bleeding Heart grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Bleeding Heart have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Bleeding Heart needs part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Bleeding Heart?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Bleeding Heart reach approximately 3' in height, with spreads of 1' 6" and 2' respectively.

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Bleeding Heart deer resistant?

Yes, both Black-Eyed Susan and Bleeding Heart are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Bleeding Heart?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Bleeding Heart have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.