'Black Eyed Susans' - Favorite Summer Flowers

The Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan’, Rudbeckia fulgida, is an easy to grow perennial with large flower heads of golden yellow and black to brown centers. The flower heads are 3½ to 5 inches across, with a plant spread of 18-24” and a height of 24”. The dark green foliage sits at the bottom on the tall daisy-like flowers and bloom from July to September. Rudbeckia ‘Goldstrum Black Eyed-Susan’ was selected Perennial of the Year in 1999, and one can see why.

‘Black-Eyed Susans’ need to be grown in full sun in somewhat moist soil conditions in a well-drained area. It is great in borders, for cut flowers or for naturalized areas. Rudbeckia attracts butterflies, provides food for birds in the winter and is mildew-resistant.

Coneflowers | Echinacea

Echinacea or coneflower cultivars have undergone many changes in the past few years. New colors, sizes and flower shapes keep coming, but each new cultivar has to be compared to the original, Magnus. This classic echinacea has large, deep-pink flowers that are long lasting and are produced all summer. If there’s any problem it’s that it grows to a height of about 4 feet.

About 20 years ago a dwarf form was found and named Kim’s Knee High. It is the same as Magnus but grows about a foot shorter.

Since then, the echinacea family has exploded with new cultivars.

For years White Swan has been the best of the white echinacea. This year, new dwarf plant Avalanche looks like a winner. The large white flowers have a dark gold cone and are on stems that are only 15 to 18 inches tall. Avalanche will blossom from July to September.

Elton Knight grows into a bushy plant that produces pink flowers reaching up to 6 inches in diameter. The stems are strong enough not to need staking.

If your garden doesn’t include echinacea and you have a sunny spot, try one or more -you will not regret it.