Deadheading Black Eyed Susans

We moved to a new home two years back, in August. When we moved in there was a large area of black eyed susans. I cleared out the area (the previous owners had started to let things go) and I think I pulled many of them out in my efforts.

I read recently (but can't find the article again!) that many flowers, you can deadhead and just toss them back into the area and they will seed for new plants next year. Are black eyed susans one of those plants? If not, should I just buy seeds (I believe I saw I can put those in in the fall)? I know they can be divided but I don't think I have enough of them for that.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Are the ones you have left in bloom now? In my experience, black-eyed susans grow and spread quite quickly. Deadheading, to my understanding, might help with reblooming in the current season, but I don't think it's necessary for reseeding. If you leave them alone they can reseed on their own, and also the existing plants will grow and spread. I just transplanted two from my back yard to my front yard this spring and they are already filling the area out quite nicely.

The blackeyed susans will spread on their own, deadheading not necessary.

Right now they've just begun to bloom. I'm going to try to post a photo of the area they're in (I'm new here!) As of now, there are only a few that are blooming along the edges, where they had previously grown throughout the entire area.

It sounds like I should just let these go but I think I might try to purchase some additional seeds to toss into this area.

Same question about shasta daiseys . I got my first ones at a roundup and they bloomed beautifully . Now what do I do with them . Deadhead or not ?

flowerjen & jcoakley are right about the black eyed susans. they will come back on their own. same for shasta daisies. I deadhead mine to get the spent blooms off, but they come back on their own every year. and they spread.

All right , thanks , I will def ' want more next year . digger

You won't need to buy seed. You'll have millions of them from the dead heads. You may even have some heads still on the plants next spring you can spread around.

In a few years you'll have so many they'll be driving you crazy! lol

Sorry to glom on to this thread, but I saw the comment about spreading seed and it made me think - I was planning to add some black-eye susans for next year; is seed the best way to go, as opposed to buying plants? Can I do spread seeds in the fall (within the next month or two) or is it better to wait til spring? Thank you!

christine

chelfchick, personally I prefer plants to start and let them do the reseeding after that. But I never had a lot of luck with flower seed plantings.

Mine reseeded, but if you let the seeds ripen, leave some for the birds and keep some for yourself. Make sure they are ripe when picked. You can put them in another area. I tried in the fall (which nature would do) and kept some for the spring as well.

good idea, that way you can be assured of keeping them going. I just think they are a beautiful addition to any flower garden

Maiglocke, I like how your flowers go from low to high in the back. Even used a riser so the back ones show. Good job!

Mai. your bed is lovely...see you have the same problem I do....never enough room in the bed for all the plants and pots...grin

I like your little niche outlined in brick in front of your fence. The colors look so good.

I've decided I'm going to try seeding in addition to the plants (hopefully) reseeding on their own.

I did a second post on this subject about where I'd read someone had cut their black eyed susans, put them upside down in a brown bag and hung them in the shed to dry out, then the seeds fall to the bottom of the bag (an instant seed trap - term "borrowed" from themoonhowl - thanks!) and you can spread them from there.

I've read that if you spread the seeds in the fall, the winter weather will actually cause them to settle into the dirt and they will grow in the spring. I figure it this way - the seeds are free so what do I have to lose by trying!?!?!?

mcbc sounds like you have all the bases covered

Can those seeds planted in the fall come up in the spring?

Yes, they will lie dormant until temperatures start to rise again.