Black-Eyed Susan vs Red Maple

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

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Aceraceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Red Maple (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Acer rubrum
Family	Asteraceae	Aceraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Adaptable
Height	3'	70'
Spread	1' 6"	40'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow	Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Red Maple

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.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

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 Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

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 Red MapleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Black-Eyed Susan at 3'. Red Maple spreads 40' while Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6".

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Red Maple deer resistant?

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

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

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Red Maple 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	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Acer rubrum
Family	Asteraceae	Aceraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Adaptable
Height	3'	70'
Spread	1' 6"	40'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow	Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
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.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

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 Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

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 Red Maple grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

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

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

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Black-Eyed Susan at 3'. Red Maple spreads 40' while Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6".

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Red Maple deer resistant?

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

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

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