Giggling SmileyZ Black-Eyed Susan

Giggling SmileyZ Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta 'Giggling SmileyZ')

Giggling SmileyZ Black-Eyed Susan brings a cheerful, high-energy look to summer beds with flowers that feel a little fuller and more layered than the standard daisy. It blooms for a long stretch, keeping color in the garden from early summer well into fall. The compact, well-branched habit makes it easy to tuck into borders without taking over, while still delivering strong visual impact. Expect steady pollinator activity and a reliable pop of warm color through the hottest weeks of the season.

Distinctive Features

This variety is known for large, double blooms in butter-yellow tones with mahogany brush strokes near the center and a dark chocolate button-like cone. Flowers appear in abundance from June to October on sturdy stems above dense green foliage, giving the plant a clean, garden-ready look for months. The overall habit is compact and mounding, designed to stay full without flopping. Mature size is typically about 20 to 26 inches tall and about 15 inches wide.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun is best, with partial shade tolerated.
• Soil: Average garden soil that is moist but well-drained is ideal.
• Water: Provide regular water during establishment, then maintain medium moisture, with some drought tolerance once established.
• USDA Zones: Hardy in zones 5 to 9.
• Spacing: Space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart for good airflow and a full, compact clump.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant a small group as a summer focal point where the double blooms and warm tones can carry the border through late season.
• Containers: Use in large containers where the compact habit stays tidy and the long bloom season keeps pots colorful.
• Sunny Borders: Add to mixed borders for dependable midsummer to fall color and a clean, mounded silhouette.
• Mass Planting: Plant in drifts for a bold sweep of golden blooms with deeper tones near the center for added depth.
• Cut Flower Beds: Grow for cutting gardens where the full blooms add texture and warmth to simple arrangements.

Low Maintenance Care

• Deadheading: Remove spent blooms to encourage continued flowering and keep the plant looking fresh.
• Watering: Water during extended dry spells to support steady bloom and reduce stress.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly in spring, since overly rich soil can reduce flowering and soften growth.
• Support: Staking is usually unnecessary, but a discreet support can help in very windy sites.
• Seasonal Cleanup: Cut back at season end or in early spring to make room for new growth.

Why Choose Giggling SmileyZ Black-Eyed Susan?

• Long Bloom Season: Delivers color from early summer into fall for a consistently finished look.
• Full, Double Flowers: Adds a richer, more layered bloom style than standard black-eyed Susans.
• Compact Habit: Stays mounded and manageable, making it easy to place in beds and containers.
• Strong Garden Performance: Well-branched growth holds blooms up for a tidy, high-impact display.
• Pollinator Friendly: Helps keep gardens active with bees and butterflies during peak season.

If you want a black-eyed Susan look with extra personality and a long season of color, Giggling SmileyZ is a strong fit. Give it sun, decent drainage, and simple deadheading, and it will keep producing blooms for months. It is especially effective planted in groups, where the warm tones and double flowers create a cohesive, upbeat finish.