What To Plant In Front Of Black Eyed Susan

Choosing what to plant in front of Black Eyed Susan can make your garden look complete and balanced. These cheerful yellow flowers are a summer staple, but the space in front of them is a valuable opportunity to add layers of color, texture, and season-long interest.

Planting the right companions creates a beautiful, low-maintenance display. The goal is to select plants that thrive in similar conditions and complement the Susans without competing too aggressively. Let’s look at some perfect options to frame your garden.

Black Eyed Susans are tough, sun-loving perennials. They need well-drained soil and at least six hours of direct sun. Plants you place in front of them must tolerate these same conditions while staying shorter. Good neighbors also help with weed suppression and soil health.

Top Perennial Choices for Lasting Beauty

Perennials are a fantastic choice because they return year after year. They establish a reliable foundation for your garden bed. Consider these reliable favorites.

Catmint (Nepeta): Its soft, gray-green foliage and lavender-blue spikes flow beautifully in front of taller Susans. It blooms early and often, attracting pollinators all season.
Salvia (Perennial Sage): Spikes of blue, purple, or white create a stunning vertical contrast. Varieties like ‘May Night’ are drought-tolerant and bloom for weeks.
Coreopsis: Similar sunny demeanor but often finer foliage. It blooms profusely and its mounding habit fills in gaps nicely.
Ornamental Grasses: Blue fescue or fountain grass add movement and a light, airy feel. Their texture is a perfect foil for the Susans’ daisy-like flowers.
Russian Sage (Perovskia): While it can get tall, pruning it back in early summer encourages a bushier, shorter form. Its wispy silver stems and blue flowers are a classic pairing.

Excellent Annuals for Seasonal Color

Annuals let you change the look of your border every year. They provide instant, non-stop color from planting until frost. They are perfect if you love to experiment.

Sweet Alyssum: Forms a low, fragrant carpet of white, purple, or pink. It’s excellent for softening the edge of a path and attracting beneficial insects.
Dusty Miller: The silvery-white, felted leaves brighten the garden day or night. It provides crucial color contrast and is very heat-tolerant.
Marigolds: Their bold oranges and yellows can create a monochromatic theme. French marigolds stay compact and may help deter some pests.
Zinnias (Dwarf Varieties): For a burst of vibrant color, dwarf zinnias are unbeatable. They come in almost every shade and are easy to grow from seed.

Herbs and Edible Options

Why not make your front border both beautiful and useful? Many herbs thrive in the same sunny, well-drained spots and offer fantastic foliage.

Lavender: Its fragrant gray foliage and purple flowers are a timeless combination with yellow. It needs excellent drainage but is otherwise tough.
Thyme (Creeping Varieties): Forms a dense, low mat that can handle light foot traffic. It has tiny flowers that bees adore and releases scent when brushed.
Parsley or Basil: The deep green, lush leaves of these kitchen herbs look great and are handy for harvesting. Just ensure they get enough water.

Design Tips for Planting Success

Getting the layout right is as important as choosing the plants. Follow these simple steps for a professional-looking result.

Check Mature Sizes: Always note the plant’s full height and width. Plants in front should be at least 6-12 inches shorter than your Black Eyed Susans at maturity.
Consider Bloom Time: Stagger bloom periods for constant color. Plant early bloomers like catmint in front, so when the Susans peak in mid-late summer, the structure is still there.
Play with Texture: Mix fine leaves (grasses, coreopsis) with broad leaves (hosta, if in part sun) or fuzzy leaves (lambs ear) for visual depth.
Mass Plants Together: Plant in groups of 3, 5, or 7 of the same companion for impact. This looks more intentional than a scattered, one-of-each approach.

What to Avoid Planting in Front

Some plants are not good partners. They might require different care or grow to aggressively. Avoid these common mismatches.

Aggressive Spreaders: Mint or bee balm (Monarda) can quickly overtake your Susans and the entire bed. If you use them, plant in a buried container.
Shade-Lovers: Hostas, ferns, or impatiens will struggle in the full sun that Susans demand. Their leaves will scorch and they won’t thrive.
High-Water Plants: Black Eyed Susans are quite drought-tolerant once established. Pairing them with water-loving plants like cardinal flower creates an watering dilemma.

Care Tips for Your Planted Border

A little maintenance keeps the whole display looking its best. Here’s how to care for the combination.

Watering: Water new plantings regularly. Once established, the grouping will be quite drought-resistant. Water deeply at the soil level to avoid fungal issues on leaves.
Deadheading: Remove spent Black Eyed Susan flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent excessive self-seeding. Deadhead companion plants as needed too.
Dividing: Every 3-4 years, your perennials may get crowded. Divide Black Eyed Susans and their companions in early spring or fall to rejuvenate them.
Mulching: A 2-inch layer of shredded bark mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and gives the bed a finished look. Keep mulch away from plant stems.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

What grows well with Black Eyed Susans?
Many sun-loving perennials like coneflower, salvia, ornamental grasses, and catmint are excellent companions. They share similar growing needs.

How do I arrange plants in front of Black Eyed Susans?
Place the shortest plants at the very front edge, with mid-height companions slightly behind them, leading up to the Susans. Think in layers.

Can I plant shrubs in front of Black Eyed Susans?
Typically, no. Most shrubs will quickly grow taller and block the sun. Dwarf shrub varieties could work if they stay under 18 inches tall.

Do Black Eyed Susans spread a lot?
They can spread via seed and rhizomes. Choosing clump-forming companions helps balance them. Regular deadheading limits their self-seeding.

What colors look good with yellow Black Eyed Susans?
Purple, blue, and silver are classic, stunning complements. Orange and red create a hot, vibrant look. White and soft pink offer a softer, cottage-garden feel.