Thursday, September 23, 2010

Planting Natives: Yellow but NOT Mellow!

Rudbeckia laciniata -- 'Cutleaf Coneflower'.



I added this wonderful native plant to my front yard just last summer (2009) and although it is yellow, it definitely is NOT mellow! Other names it has sometimes been called are Tall Yellow Coneflower, Tall Thimbleweed, Cone-disk Sunflower, Green-headed Coneflower and Wild Goldenglow.  I like the name 'Goldenglow' the best. To me, that name says it all.






I bought it in full bloom during the heat of the summer, not really knowing what to expect, other than I knew it was a native--and I knew it would get rather tall.  In my front, 'center-island' (as I call it) are holly trees and several large oaks. In front of those, where the late morning and afternoon sun shines down, I have planted shasta daisies, obedient plant, sedum, japanese anemone, astilbe and daffodils (the first to pop up in spring).





I added the Rudbeckia to one corner, as a kind of experiment. I wasn't sure how it would do long-term, but I'm happy to report that it's very hardy--flowering non-stop from mid-to-late June through late September-early October.




Native to about 48 states in the US, including much of Canada, Rudbeckia laciniata is in the Asteraceae family. Although the USDA Plant Database does list it as a 'threatened' species in Rhode Island, it is, on the whole, quite common and does very well in a variety of climates and circumstances.





It is said to have a very fast growth rate, but has not taken off much where I have it planted--at least, not yet. Mine is only about three feet tall after one year, so I would certainly not call it a 'vigorous' grower. Spreading by rhizome and from seed, my plant hasn't formed a clump that is really large enough to divide yet, and so far it has not spread in wild-abandon. That's not a bad quality--but I want more! I do believe it's time for a trip back to the nursery where I found this beauty.





I am sure it isn't a plant for every garden. It needs to be planted with the knowledge that it can get up to eight feet in height. In the 'right' location (depending on your personal preferences) it's a wonderful native to have in the garden. I've read that it does well in moist areas, but my garden has been pretty dry this summer and it's thrived on infrequent waterings. Basically, it thrives in almost any soil, temperature or climate. As noted earlier, there are very few areas of the country where this plant is known not to grow.





Right about now, the seed heads are beginning to get dark and it will soon stop flowering. I have been removing the seed heads all summer to encourage continuous blooming. But as the weather cools down and the flowering comes to an end, I will allow the remaining seed heads to stay attached to the plant. It might encourage a bit of re-seeding, which I wouldn't mind at all, as there is space for it to do so. Additionally, the added height and texture of the remaining stalks and seed heads will add interest to the winter garden.




I planted Miss Goldenglow right in front of my Sedum 'Autumn Joy' and next to my Daisies. It's a good combination, with the bright yellow blooms creating a pleasant and cheery effect in this area.



It's in an area that gets lots of sun--but 'dappled' by trees in the general area. It's known to be a woodland plant, after all--but also does well in open prairies.  The pollinators love it, too.









Today I am thankful that my garden season will extend through September and even into October, with plants like Rudbeckia laciniata helping it to hang on.


Be sure to join Gail at Clay and Limestone for more natives on Wildflower Wednesday.


Have a lovely day!



Words and photos ©Thanks For Today, by Jan Huston Doble

28 comments:

  1. Just lovely! I'm a big fan of most any Rudbeckia...and if it's tall and long-blooming too...sign me up!

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  2. A beautiful shade of yellow!

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  3. Wow, I'm writing this one down on my want list! Eight feet tall, eh? I think I've got a great spot for it too... Thanks for posting so much info on it too - and you've captured them really well in your photos!

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  4. There are so many delightful rudbeckias--thanks for introducing me to another one, Jan! I've probably seen this plant before, but didn't know its name. If it blooms through fall, it is a plant that would be definitely welcome in my garden, too.

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  5. It looks great and seems to be very happy in your garden.

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  6. It's a beautiful plant and looks great in that front center garden.

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  7. What a lovely splash of yellow Jan this is giving you in the garden as I look around my garden I've no yellow flowers now but lots of yellowish leaves.

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  8. Nice selection for the center front garden.
    Still waiting for my daisies to bloom.
    I don't really understand native...have a list of natives for NJ but many were started in the south.

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  9. Jan,
    Green-headed coneflower as I like to call it grows wild all around us here. The bridge on the North Fork of the Little River is just down the hill from here. The patch there is 300-400 sq ft, one year we added 500 butterflies to the Durham Butterfly Count from this one location. great butterfly attractor and it does like damp places best.

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  10. Sounds like one to add to my "must have" list - even though I'll never have room for everything on my list :)

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  11. Hi Jan,
    I'm glad I read Randy's comment so I could realize your beauty is the same as what I call my green headed coneflowers. Mine have been in a couple or three years, and got about 5 feet tall this year.

    I noticed your autumn joy sedum was nice and full, not floppy like mine. Did you cut yours back this summer?

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  12. I enjoyed your photos and information, by the way.

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  13. I love these flowers, Jan; I find their yellow and green so fresh. I'm pretty sure Rudbeckia lacinata is one of the parents of my favorite Rudbeckia cultivars, 'Herbstsonne' or 'Autumn Sun.' The flowers and foliage look just about identical. Where I have Herbstsonne planted in a part-shade location, it generally grows to about 6' tall and forms a big shrub-like clump. Where I have it growing in full sun, however, it easily got up to 8'. -Jean

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  14. Jan, Thanks for sharing... this is another Rudbeckia I must have! Gorgeous! Happy Autumn! ;>)

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  15. What a gorgeous golden beauty you have. I do think Rudbeckia's are the work horses of the garden, making sure there is plenty of color in the garden all summer long.

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  16. All it needs is time, Jan. We were astounded by the size ours attained in a couple of years and had to move it several times because it was such a giant. We had no idea! It will seed about and those plants will be extra strong, as self sowns tend to be. Get ready! :-)
    Frances

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  17. Hi Jan
    I haven't visited for a while. Your photo's are still as beautiful as ever and I like the new photo of yourself ( well new since I last visited anyway !)your garden looks great. Thanks for visitng my blog and for the lovely comments.
    Have a good week-end. M x

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  18. I really like this one, and am glad you brought it to our attention. Getting too big is not a problem in my garden - there are already a lot of thugs growing out of control. What's one more that looks as good as this one.

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  19. I just love the way the yellow "pops" in your fall garden. I like your close-ups and I also think your collage is fantastic.

    I hope that you are enjoying Autumn. I appreciate the comment you left on my blog the other day.

    Take care,
    Rosey

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  20. I adore this flower, this plant! It looks quite lovely with the autumn sedum, too.

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  21. I love this flower, very beautiful. The fact that it gets so tall makes it a great backdrop plant, though it looks great in your bed.

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  22. Dear Jan, I think this goldenglow is the volunteer that popped up outside my mother's window in England. It has given her so much pleasure all summer. Lovely post! Pam x

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  23. A very pretty flower. I like the form and height of it. It looks great how you have it planted.

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  24. really pretty! It looks perfect where you've planted it.

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  25. Jan,
    You did so good with my sunflower mystery. I do believe it is Maximilian's Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani). Thank you for the weblink about it.
    GonSS

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  26. Your post is making me take a closer look at wild flowers. I might have to join in the fun this week.
    Happy Gardening!

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  27. Hey! I'm growing this one. Or should I say 'nurturing' her? She was a volunteer who seems to love it here. I like the way their flowers wave in the breeze. :)

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  28. I am partial to native plants, too. I like what you have done with this one. Oh, and I like your photo presentation, too.

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Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to comment! Please enjoy your TODAY and all of the gifts in YOUR garden of life!

Jan

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