Rudbeckia grandiflora

An easy way to remember the botanical name of the Black-Eyed-Susans is to memorize the phrase “Susan has a black eye because rude Becky hit her”. I find the Rudbeckias an amazing group of plants, many species of which are attractive and useful in the landscape. Large Coneflower, (not to be confused with Giant Coneflower), has green mostly basal leaves among which arise tall flower stalks topped with large, Echinacea-like flowerheads. This is an undemanding native perennial that should be present in more gardens, especially xeric plantings, native collections and butterfly gardens.