Black-Eyed Susan vs Eastern Redbud

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

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Fabaceae · trees

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Eastern Redbud (Zones 4-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Eastern Redbud
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Cercis canadensis
Family	Asteraceae	Fabaceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	3'	30'
Spread	1' 6"	30'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Early Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow	Pink, Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Eastern Redbud

Yes — 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.

Eastern Redbud

✓Transplant when young — older trees have deep taproots.
✓Prune after flowering.
✓Tolerates clay soil.
✓Flowers are edible and can be added to salads.

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 Eastern Redbud if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View Eastern RedbudProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Eastern Redbud grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Eastern Redbud grows in zones 4-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Eastern Redbud have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Eastern Redbud?

Eastern Redbud grows taller at 30' compared to Black-Eyed Susan at 3'. Eastern Redbud spreads 30' while Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6".

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Eastern Redbud deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Eastern Redbud?

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

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Eastern Redbud
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Cercis canadensis
Family	Asteraceae	Fabaceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	3'	30'
Spread	1' 6"	30'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Early Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow	Pink, Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	Eastern North America
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.

Eastern Redbud

✓Transplant when young — older trees have deep taproots.
✓Prune after flowering.
✓Tolerates clay soil.
✓Flowers are edible and can be added to salads.

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 Eastern Redbud if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Eastern Redbud grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Eastern Redbud grows in zones 4-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Eastern Redbud have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Eastern Redbud?

Eastern Redbud grows taller at 30' compared to Black-Eyed Susan at 3'. Eastern Redbud spreads 30' while Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6".

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Eastern Redbud deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Eastern Redbud?

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