Wednesday, July 7, 2010

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

24 comments:

  1. they are nice plants. i have a different type this year, waiting for the bloom to open completely..maybe today...can't wait to see what you bring home this year!

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  2. I grew some rudbekia from seed last year or the year before and enjoyed it. I need to see if I still have some of those seeds, as I loved the blooms. I can't believe how tall that one of yours is.

    Have a great time at the celebration/sale and I look forward to seeing what you come home with.

    FlowerLady

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  3. I planted R. maxima last year and it did OK for the first year. I realize now that it is in too much shade. I'd move it if it were not so damn hot and dry. Hopefully it will hang on until we get better transplant weather.

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  4. I love the combo brown and yellow, we have a lot of the brown eyed susan growing wild.
    Have fun!

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  5. I think the Rudbeckia was not happy where I stuck it last fall because it never came back. I am going to keep trying. Your photos are awesome!

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  6. Good morning, Tina. Great advice to take a good plant book along to swaps and sales.

    I've never met a rudbeckia I didn't like:) This one looks like a good choice for giving some height to the border. Unusual leaves too, this plant will get a lot of attention from visitors.
    Marnie

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  7. Darla, Not sure the theme this year at SS but it should be good as usual! How is your grill planter doing?

    Flowerlady, These rudbeckia are definitely not your usual rudbeckia. They tower above for sure. Hope you still have your seed and are enjoying summer.

    Les, Fingers crossed you all get some much needed rain. It seems we go thru these each year and it gets more frustrating each year too. I've been watering like crazy-mainly hydrangeas and newly planted things. I'd for sure leave your maxima until the rains return.

    Dawn, Yup, those brown eyes grow just about everywhere. I love them in the wildflower fields. I just now realized we don't have any out back of my place. Need to sprinkle some seeds in that field:)

    Rosey, Keep trying. I would think it would grow in Colorado. Thanks on the photos!

    Good morning Marnie, This rudbeckia is definitely tall-too tall for my border but I like it. I remember your cutleaf you had last year. Can't wait to see it this year!

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  8. I had no idea there was a rudbeckia that got 6' tall. I'm always learning something from your garden. I love your phrase, "...bright yellow petals screaming for every passing butterfly and insect to stop and take a look." That is great! They are stunning.

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  9. Your giant coneflowers look great!! I wish mine looked half as good as yours -- maybe one day!

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  10. Wow, I didn't know that they got that tall. It sure would be something to watch. I don't have any here as of now but plan to have some of the "little" ones next yr.
    Have fun at the meet.
    I hope all have a wonderful day. Dr. app. today for clearance for surgery.

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  11. I'm a fan! I have a few in every garden I think but none of the big coneflower. Any chance you'll save some seed? ;)

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  12. GSS, Those rudbeckia are quite diverse and very cool. Yup, the insects love them and yellow in the garden is one of my favorite colors so the word somehow fit for sure.

    Anne, Hello and welcome. Those giant coneflowers are way cool aren't they? You just have to love something so bold in the summer garden.

    Lola, A very diverse group those rudbeckias. I hope all goes well with you with the doctor. Stay well and hugs to you.

    Dave, I'll do my best but I am not good with seeds unless they fall into my hand-like colombine and love in a mist. If they seed around that would be better for me to dig you one. They are very cool. Has the baby come yet????

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  13. Dave, Nevermind! Samuel is adorable and CONGRATS!!!!!!!

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  14. I would love to plant some, but it is too hot and dry. I don't need anything else to water. Maybe next year! Carla

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  15. That giant one is awesome. Love the high center, very different and I love something different in plants, humans or whatever.

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  16. Rudbeckia gets my vote too! As you know from my banner, the Goldstrum do better in my garden than any flower I have ever planted. I have given them to all my friends, and all plants have survived. I would really like to have some of the large ones--maybe next year!

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  17. Wow that is a tall Rudbeckia and the foliage is so unusual. I think you couldn't of picked a better plant for the month, mine are doing great inspite of the heat and lack of rain. Wish I could say the same about all the plants in the garden. Grrr...

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  18. I love Rudbeckias, but they seem to bloom closer to the end of the summer here. I've noticed mine really starting to grow a lot lately. That first 6 foot tall one is just amazing. I'm trying to think where I could grow that one in my yard.

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  19. What a dramatic first shot of the Rudbeckias! You do give a sense of scale. Black Eyed Susans spell summer for me.

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  20. My yellow and brown ladies have been putting on a show for some time now. They keep returning from year to year and pop up all over the place. I love reseeders the best. I dont have the monster ones you have but some of mine are really tall to the point they fall over!

    Hot and dry in GA. We need rain so badly. I have the water sprinkler running full blast to give some pretties a drink. My green grass is no longer lush, sigh....

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  21. The Giant Coneflower is amazing. I didn't know there was a variety that grew so tall. Definitely adds height in the garden!

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  22. Wow, this is quite a rudbeckia, Tina! I can see it making quite a statement in the garden, and I bet it does look good with Joe Pye Weed.
    I planted a couple of 'Goldsturms' last year as well as some annual rudbeckias, and the butterfly garden is overrun with them this year. I'm not sure which one reseeded, but I'm happy to have so many Susans in the garden.

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  23. I saw the giant coneflower at Ohio State University and was so intrigued to find its name I had to ask a group of people to please move out of the way... one of those people was the head of the OSU Ag School. Oops. It was worth it, though. Also, only $5? That's awesome. I'm forwarding the url of this post to the MSU!

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  24. Hi Tina, I don't know why my feed isn't updating--I did switch to the new editor... who knows what Blogger decides? I don't think there is anything you can do to fix it, either... hopefully it will correct itself!

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