Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) are a beloved addition to many gardens, thanks to their bright yellow petals and iconic dark centers.
They add cheerful color from mid-summer into fall, making them a staple in borders, pollinator gardens, and even wildflower meadows.
But when the growing season ends, it’s time to think about how to protect these perennials and ensure they return healthy and vibrant next year.
Overwintering Black-eyed Susans may seem simple, but taking the right steps can make a big difference in how well they survive the winter and thrive in the spring.
As someone who’s been growing Black-eyed Susans for years, I’ve learned how important it is to prepare them for winter, especially in areas where temperatures drop significantly.
In this guide, I’ll share the methods I’ve found most effective for keeping Black-eyed Susans healthy during the winter months.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be rewarded with an even more stunning display when the growing season returns.
Know Your Black-Eyed Susan Varieties
Before diving into overwintering techniques, it’s helpful to know which variety of Black-eyed Susan you’re growing.
Different types of Rudbeckia may have slightly different needs when it comes to surviving the winter.
The two main categories you’ll encounter are perennial and biennial varieties.
Perennial Black-eyed Susans, like Rudbeckia fulgida or Rudbeckia hirta, are hardy plants that typically return year after year.
In my garden, these have always been the backbone of the late summer display, and with proper care, they’re reliable bloomers.
They can handle colder temperatures, but they still benefit from some winter preparation.
Biennial varieties, on the other hand, typically bloom in their second year and then die.
These will reseed themselves if left to their own devices, but if you want to ensure their return, it’s worth collecting seeds or allowing the plants to drop seeds naturally in the fall.
Knowing your variety will help guide your overwintering approach.
In either case, these hardy flowers can handle some tough conditions, but a little extra care will help ensure they come back even stronger.
Let the Seedheads Stand for Winter Interest
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that cutting Black-eyed Susans all the way back in the fall isn’t always necessary—and in fact, leaving some of the seedheads in place can be beneficial.
Not only do they provide visual interest in the winter garden, with their striking dark centers standing out against snow or frost, but they also offer food for birds.
Many gardeners, including myself, leave the seedheads up through the winter to attract birds like goldfinches, who love snacking on the seeds.
I’ve enjoyed watching these birds from my window, knowing that I’m helping local wildlife while also keeping my garden looking interesting during the otherwise barren winter months.
However, if you prefer a tidier garden look, you can cut back the stems once the flowers fade, but be sure to leave at least a few seedheads for the birds if possible.
Cut Back Foliage After the First Frost
Whether you leave the seedheads standing or not, it’s important to cut back the rest of the foliage after the first frost.
Once the cold weather hits, the leaves will start to yellow and die back, signaling that the plant is entering dormancy.
In my experience, cutting back the foliage to about 2-3 inches above the ground helps tidy up the garden and prevents pests or diseases from overwintering in the decaying leaves.
It’s especially important to clean up if you’ve noticed any signs of fungal issues during the growing season.
When cutting back your Black-eyed Susans, make sure to use clean, sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant.
I’ve found that keeping the cuts clean helps reduce the risk of infections in the remaining stems, setting the plant up for a healthy return in spring.
Clean Up Dead Plant Material
After cutting back the foliage, it’s crucial to clean up any dead plant material around your Black-eyed Susans.
Fallen leaves and spent stems can harbor pests, fungi, and diseases that might carry over into the next season if left on the ground.
I use a small rake or my hands to carefully gather up all the debris, making sure to remove any plant material that looks diseased or damaged.
If your plants have shown signs of fungal issues, like leaf spot or mildew, dispose of the debris in the trash rather than adding it to your compost pile.
This helps prevent spreading the disease around your garden.
In my garden, I’ve found that a thorough fall cleanup can make a huge difference in reducing problems like powdery mildew or rust the following year.
It’s a simple step that sets the stage for healthier plants in the long run.
Mulch to Protect the Roots
Mulching is one of the most important steps for overwintering Black-eyed Susans, especially if you live in a region where winter temperatures drop below freezing.
A thick layer of mulch helps insulate the roots, keeping the soil temperature more consistent and protecting the plant from the freeze-thaw cycle.
I like to apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded leaves, straw, or pine needles, around the base of my Black-eyed Susans.
This not only protects the roots from extreme cold but also helps retain moisture in the soil, which is important during dry winter months.
Be sure to leave a little space around the base of the plant to avoid rot.
In colder climates, I’ve found that mulching is key to preventing frost heaving, where the soil shifts during freeze-thaw cycles, potentially pushing the plant out of the ground.
If you live in a milder climate, mulching is still beneficial, but you can get away with using a lighter layer—just enough to keep the soil insulated without smothering the plant.
Watering Before Winter Sets In
Black-eyed Susans are drought-tolerant once established, but giving them a deep watering in the fall before the ground freezes can help them store up moisture for the winter months.
I’ve found that a good soak in late October or early November, depending on your climate, helps the roots survive the winter, especially if the fall has been dry.
However, avoid overwatering, as sitting in soggy soil during winter can lead to root rot.
Once the ground freezes, stop watering altogether.
The plant is dormant by this point and doesn’t need any additional moisture.
In fact, too much water can do more harm than good during the winter months.
Collect Seeds for Next Year
If you’re growing biennial varieties of Black-eyed Susans or want to propagate more plants for next year, September and early October are the perfect time to collect seeds.
The seedheads will have dried out by this point, and the seeds can easily be shaken out.
In my garden, I like to collect the seeds and store them in a cool, dry place over the winter.
When spring arrives, I either plant them directly in the garden or start them indoors to give them a head start.
If you prefer to let nature take its course, you can leave some seedheads standing and allow them to drop their seeds naturally.
Black-eyed Susans often reseed themselves readily, and I’ve had new plants pop up in unexpected places, which can add a wild, natural look to the garden.
Protect Against Winter Pests
Even though Black-eyed Susans are generally pest-resistant, it’s still important to keep an eye out for common winter pests, such as voles, which can damage the roots by burrowing into the ground for warmth.
In areas where voles or other rodents are a problem, I’ve used wire mesh or hardware cloth around the base of the plants to protect the roots.
Another effective strategy is to keep the mulch layer just thick enough to insulate the plant without creating a cozy habitat for pests.
For those who grow Black-eyed Susans in more rural or woodland settings, keeping an eye on wildlife that might graze on your plants in the winter is also a good idea.
Deer, in particular, can sometimes nibble on stems or leftover seedheads.
Overwintering Black-Eyed Susans in Containers
If you grow Black-eyed Susans in containers, overwintering them requires a bit more attention.
Because container plants are more exposed to the elements, their roots are at higher risk of freezing during cold winter months.
In colder climates, I always move my container-grown Black-eyed Susans to a sheltered location, like an unheated garage, basement, or a frost-free shed.
If you don’t have a sheltered space, grouping the containers together in a protected spot, such as against the house or in a corner, can help insulate them.
Before moving the containers, cut back the foliage and apply a thick layer of mulch to the soil surface.
Make sure the containers are raised off the ground to prevent water from pooling under them, which could lead to root rot.
Once spring arrives, you can move the containers back outside, and your Black-eyed Susans should begin to re-sprout as the weather warms.
Don’t Fertilize in the Fall
While Black-eyed Susans benefit from fertilization during the growing season, it’s important to stop feeding them in the fall.
Fertilizing at this time can encourage new growth that won’t have time to harden off before the first frost, making the plant more susceptible to winter damage.
I’ve made the mistake of fertilizing too late in the season before, and the result was weak, frost-damaged growth that set the plant back in the spring.
Instead, save fertilization for the early spring, when new growth begins to emerge and the plant is ready to start its active growing phase again.
Plan for Spring Maintenance
All the work you do to overwinter your Black-eyed Susans sets the stage for a successful spring.
When the weather starts to warm up in late March or early April, start checking your plants for new growth.
At this point, you can gradually remove some of the mulch to allow the soil to warm up faster.
In my garden, I like to keep an eye on how early the temperatures rise.
Once I see the first green shoots pushing through the soil, I begin to water more regularly and give the plants a light feeding with a balanced fertilizer.
Black-eyed Susans are fast growers, so with the right spring care, they’ll quickly fill out and start producing blooms that will last all summer long.
Final Thoughts
Overwintering Black-eyed Susans doesn’t have to be complicated, but a little preparation can go a long way toward ensuring your plants return healthy and strong next year.
By cutting back the foliage, mulching, and keeping an eye out for pests, you’ll give your Black-eyed Susans the best chance to survive the winter and bloom beautifully come spring.
From my experience, these hardy flowers are well worth the effort.
With just a bit of fall care, they’ll come back year after year, bringing vibrant color and life to your garden.
Happy gardening!