Summer Celebration and Plant of the Month-Rudbeckias

It is that time of the year again-Summer Celebration time at the University of Tennessee's Agricultural Research Station in Jackson Tennessee. It is one of two gardening events each year that I endeavor ever so hard to attend; the other being the Nashville Lawn and Garden Show. This year's festivities kick off at 10:00 am tomorrow morning. The cost of admission is $5 and this entitles you to tour the beautiful gardens, listen to tons of great local garden speakers, and visit all of the exhibitors booths. My favorite spot to visit is the Madison County Master Gardener's booth for some great buys on plants. When I say great I mean really great. Last year's purchases were the best ever and you just can't beat the great plants offered at this booth for really reasonable prices. In fact, I am profiling one of those great plants that I purchased for my garden at last year's Summer Celebration. It is the giant coneflower, aka Rudbeckia maxima. And this month's Plant of the Month just happens to be rudbeckias-all of them.

From In the Garden

Rudbeckias come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. There are not too many plants that top rudbeckia for adding structure and impact to the summer garden. This plant is easy to care for, versatile, and long lived. Its impact in the garden cannot be understated. With its bright yellow petals screaming for every passing butterfly and insect to stop and take a look the rudbeckias its presence is known and felt very strongly in all gardens its graces.

Here is a different kind of rudbeckia, commonly known as Giant Coneflower. It stands a cool six feet tall in the garden and those cental cones can rise to 6" themselves. Perhaps we should call it the six flower? Just kidding.

From In the Garden

The flowers were so tall I could only photograph them from below but I also tried to get a big view for you. I planted this one plant in my Sunny Perennial Border last July. It barely did anything at all last year so when I noticed the great looking foliage emerging this spring I was pleasantly surprised and happy. It was not until the long flowering stalk began growing that I really became delighted. This rudbeckia, like all rudbeckias, is a long bloomer and quite a lady in the garden. It fits in well with with large prairie style gardens and large perennial borders where it can keep good company with Joe Pye weed and cutleaf coneflowers (Rudbeckia lacinata). Expect it to grow no less than six feet tall-this perennial towers.

From In the Garden

The foliage is most interesting too. The large leaves are similar in appearance to cabbage leaves, though not as round. The flower stalk holds up great under its own volition and needed no staking from me, I did however provide a leaning support for it.

From In the Garden

Other rudbeckias blooming in my garden are cutleaf coneflower 'Herbstsonne', and brown eyed Susans 'Goldsturm' (both are just beginning). All rudbeckias prefer full sun but I find 'Goldsturm' is a very adaptable plant and will bloom in the shade. Well draining good garden soil will see them performing their best in the garden. You really can't go wrong with rudbeckias, though some do tend to take over and need thinning periodically.

If you attend the Summer Celebration tomorrow be sure to check out the plant sales for some really cool plants. I purchased so many neat ones last year that I really should prepare a post on them-bloom day will see a few. One word of advice if you attend Summer Celebration and plan to buy plants-take a perennial or good shrub book with you so you know what you are buying. Some of the plants have some very cool names that are not too common. For me my purchases are usually easy-it has to say shade unless it says rudbeckia...

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden