Wildlife value of Black-eyed Susan — an unexpected bonus

I planted Black-eyed Susan primarily for ornamental reasons. What I didn't anticipate was the wildlife it would attract. self-seeding and naturalising without annual replanting seems to be particularly appealing to bees and butterflies during the main growing period.

I grow it in a wildlife pond margin planting which allows me to watch the activity up close. early spring bulbs and annual seedling germination is the most active period for wildlife visits. avoiding any fertiliser which would favour grasses over flowers is important for keeping the plant healthy enough to flower well and provide that value. rabbits and slugs targeting young seedlings is the thing to watch — it reduces flowering and therefore wildlife visits if left unchecked. A plant that earns its place twice over.