Susan, I've found that Rudbekia will survive anything! They will definitely survive if planted in the fall. I just cleared a whole patch out because of their invasiveness, and they're still growing!!

I picked up a division of Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' at a plant swap last fall. It was a pretty small division with one bloom. I was worried it might not survive the winter, but it did, and it's much larger with lots of blooms. It also reseeded a couple of seedlings.

I was so enchanted with the bloom that I winter-sowed more 'Indian Summer', as well as several other Rudbeckia hirta cultivars. They are so pretty, I'll never be without them again (which is a safe bet, they reseed prolifically!).

They not only reseed, but multiply by developing underground runners that run everywhere!!