Black-Eyed Susan vs Peony

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

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Peony

Paeonia lactiflora

Paeoniaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Peony (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Peony
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Paeonia lactiflora
Family	Asteraceae	Paeoniaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	3'	3'
Spread	1' 6"	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Late Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	Eastern North America	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Peony

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.

Peony

✓Plant eyes (buds) no deeper than 2 inches below soil surface.
✓Provide support for heavy blooms.
✓Don't move established plants — they resent transplanting.

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 Peony if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View PeonyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Peony grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Peony 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 Peony?

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

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Peony deer resistant?

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

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

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Peony 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	Peony
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Paeonia lactiflora
Family	Asteraceae	Paeoniaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	3'	3'
Spread	1' 6"	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Late Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
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.

Peony

✓Plant eyes (buds) no deeper than 2 inches below soil surface.
✓Provide support for heavy blooms.
✓Don't move established plants — they resent transplanting.

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 Peony if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Peony grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Peony 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 Peony?

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

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Peony deer resistant?

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

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

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