In his book Yard Full of Sun, about creating a garden in the Sonoron desert, Scott Calhoun wrote, “Yellow is the color of the pure energy of the sun, and in country full of light, it offers the perfect celestial expression…”
He may have been talking about desert plants, in which yellow is the dominant flower color, but I think it applies equally well to all yellow plants, including common-as-dirt black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’).
Its sunny face and unwinking eye upturned to the sun that I shrink from, Rudbeckia expresses a love for the life-giving heat and energy of summer. I’m grateful for the reminder.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Great quote for this time of year Pam. The sun is making sure that we know who is in charge here. My Rudis haven’t
started blooming yet. It won’t be long though.
Comment by Lisa at Greenbow — June 28, 2008 @ 7:27 am
Rudbeckia! My favorite flower! What a wonderful quote about this cheery yellow flower. Mine are just starting to be in full bloom. I’m not sure why they are always so late–but they put on a full show once they start.
Comment by Linda at Meadowview Thymes — June 28, 2008 @ 9:34 am
My favorite(-: I love their sunny faces(-: It just shouts SUMMER!!!!
Comment by cindee — June 28, 2008 @ 10:54 am
Brown-Eyed Susans grow with reckless abandon in fields and abandoned garden sites here — you’re right. Their sunny, smiling faces are a great reminder of the gifts that are given during this season.
Comment by Nancy Bond — June 28, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
Love common Rudbeckia and am grateful you do too.~~Dee
Comment by Dee/reddirtramblings — June 28, 2008 @ 2:26 pm
Common as dirt – thank goodness for dirt.
Those Black-eyed Susans will always be on my list of favorites. Nice to see you’re growing the minimum number :)
Comment by wiseacre — June 28, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
Always loved Rudbeckias in my garden, tough and beautiful!
Comment by titania — June 28, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
Very fun summer flowers and a wonderful photo of them.
I sowed seed of some variety of Rudbekia (can’t remember off hand) for the first time ever. The plants are growing but no flowers yet. I’m still thinking they might come on in the next little bit… hopefully.
Meems @Hoe&Shovel
Comment by Meems — June 28, 2008 @ 9:18 pm
In a few weeks when BES’s open up in my garden we will be having our own Celestial Celebration! Great quote Pam!
gail
Comment by Gail — June 29, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Thanks for your comments, everyone. Enjoy your sunny yellows! —Pam
Comment by Pam/Digging — June 29, 2008 @ 11:48 pm
Yellow blooms are my favourites and I have lots in the gardens.
Comment by Crafty Gardener — June 30, 2008 @ 5:33 am
Okay – you folks stop gloating. Rudbeckia doesn’t grow worth a damn here in Santa Barbara. I’f course, I’ll be kind enough not to list all the gems we CAN grow that others can’t. Anyway, beautiful shot, great quote.
Comment by Billy Goodnick — June 30, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
Hi Pam, that is the flower that takes us into fall and winter here, along with the echinacea. Ours are budded, the yellow petals still folded over the brown centers. You can now count the days until your fall allows you to come back outside. Do you have butterfly bushes?
Comment by Frances — July 1, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
Thanks for sharing this… I love the pot in the background with grass! LOVELY… wonderful idea. Greetings from your friend in the Midwest!
Comment by Bren — July 1, 2008 @ 11:32 pm
Scott has a new book coming out next March–The Hot Garden: Landscape Design for the Desert Southwest. I’ve pre-ordered it already. I think it’s going to be as good as Yard Full of Sun!
Aiyana
Comment by Aiyana — July 2, 2008 @ 1:10 am
. . . and they bloom beautifully even in part sun! I’ve always had them. They’re definitely favorites.
Comment by linda — July 2, 2008 @ 5:37 am