Spotlight Plant Of The Month For August: Rudbeckia

August is a sun-splashed month in our region. Now is the time when many Rudbeckia AKA Black-Eyed Susan native plants shine, and some of the prettiest and sturdiest for our climate are the hybrids of the popular "Black Eyed Susan" plant, Rudbeckia. These lovely perennials truly represent summer in all its glory, with their rich hues reminiscent of a summer memory.

Rudbeckias are wonderful additions to the late summer flower border. They are rock-hardy, and will survive well into zone 3, far harsher conditions than gardeners in our region will experience.

Hybridizers have come a long way in elevating this popular perennial to new heights. In the past few years, there has been a virtual population explosion in new forms and colors in this lovely and carefree flower. There are lemon-yellow ones with green eyes, quilled ones, rustic-colored ones, doubles, chrysanthemum form, and so many more. One of them, 'Goldsturm', was named the Perennial Plant of the year for 1999. In fact, there are so many variations that have been developed that a gardener could add all of the different cultivars to his or her garden and never have a problem with a lack of interest and diversity in the late summer garden.

These plants are easily found through mail order sources or locally. Fortunately, they are plants that will do well when purchased locally, whether one purchases them at a discount store, garden center, or greenhouse. But if you want to get the newest hybrids, purchasing from mail order sources is still the way to go.

Rudbeckias will grow anywhere from dwarf eight inch varieties to those that grow well over two feet tall. Most coordinate wonderfully with other late Summer bloomers. Echinacea, veronica, annual blue salvias, liatris, garden phlox and late-season daylilies all marry well with these plants. The taller forms are the perfect foil in front of the taller ornamental grasses, adding a prairie-like look when partnered in this way.

Any of the rudbeckias are naturals for the cutting border. In fact, if kept deadheaded, they will continue to produce flowers, often until frost. Another plus, butterflies and bees seem to enjoy these flowers almost as much as we do! If the last of the flowers are left to stay on the plant into winter, birds will enjoy the foraging on the seeds.

They are very toleratant of the dry and hot conditions that our region experiences in the late summer. For this reason alone coupled with their low-maintenance reputations, rudbeckias are a shoe-in for the xeriscaped garden. Dividing them is a snap. Divide the clumps in early spring and reset in soil of average fertility and water the new divisions regularly until established. Once they are established, rudbckias only really need to be watered when the first three inches of soil is dry. That's it! You just can't go wrong growing one of these lovely twists on an old native favorite!

So, whether you are a purist and want to grow the classic gold-yellow with brown-black eyed Rudbeckia, the beloved Black Eyed Susan, or if you are an adventurous sort, you just can't go wrong growing on of the lovely varieties of an old native plant favorite. Rudbeckias are truly the shining stars of the August garden!