Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)

This fast-growing annual* spreads easily by seed, making it a useful plant in new native gardens with empty space to fill. It blooms all summer and into fall, supporting a wide variety of pollinators. Finches also enjoy the seeds in winter. Host plant for the silvery checkerspot butterfly.

*Depending on growing conditions, it may behave as an annual, biennial, or even short-lived perennial.