Black-Eyed Susan vs Hydrangea

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

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangeaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Hydrangea (Zones 5-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Hydrangea
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Hydrangea macrophylla
Family	Asteraceae	Hydrangeaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium to High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	6'
Spread	1' 6"	6'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	Blue, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	Japan
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Hydrangea

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.

Hydrangea

✓Prune after flowering on old wood varieties.
✓Add aluminum sulfate for blue flowers, lime for pink.
✓Protect from afternoon sun in hot climates.

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 Hydrangea if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium to high water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View HydrangeaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Hydrangea grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

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

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

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Hydrangea?

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

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Hydrangea deer resistant?

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

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

Black-Eyed Susan has low maintenance while Hydrangea has medium maintenance. Black-Eyed Susan may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Hydrangea
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Hydrangea macrophylla
Family	Asteraceae	Hydrangeaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium to High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	6'
Spread	1' 6"	6'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	Blue, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	Japan
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

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

Hydrangea

✓Prune after flowering on old wood varieties.
✓Add aluminum sulfate for blue flowers, lime for pink.
✓Protect from afternoon sun in hot climates.

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 Hydrangea if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium to high water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Hydrangea grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

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

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

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Hydrangea?

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

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Hydrangea deer resistant?

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

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

Black-Eyed Susan has low maintenance while Hydrangea has medium maintenance. Black-Eyed Susan may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.