Does the black-eyed Susan need a new common name? I’ve always preferred its scientific moniker, Rudbeckia, but that goes for most of the plants I’ve encountered. Now I wonder if the common name has more sinister associations, and such ruminations in this politically-charged world are not something I want spilling into the garden. We’ve had enough rain of late literally – a figurative storm on a proverbial parade will just be too much at this point. And so let’s focus on the radial wonder and structural beauty of these Rudbeckia blooms.
A vibrant variation on the quieter colors of the Leucanthemum, the Rudbeckia is a recurving style of the daisy form ~ a classic cornerstone of many gardens. Coming into bloom at the mid-section of summer, and resisting the typical heat that this moment (when summer is performing properly) usually produces, Rudbeckia is a stalwart and reliable garden foundation. I’ve seen swaths of this perennial favorite creating stunning effects in almost any landscape, the way that Miscanthus or hosta can make similar magic – and a good reason why they are all used in so many situations. It’s ok to appreciate such mainstream use of powerhouse performers – and I’m finally coming around to that notion. Life is difficult enough without seeking value in the rare and exotic.
