That's it! You've done it! I have been feeling really ambivalent about these
guys the past few years, but each time I think I'll just rip them out - "too
common", "better alternatives", etc. - I always grudgingly grant them a reprieve "for one last season". . .

Well, this photo says it all: they may be "overused", "tried and true", etc. but
they can still knock your socks off when you least expect it . . . and looking out the window, down the hill to the garden, what's glowing right back up at me now?

My black-eyed susans. . . Thanks for the great photo, Rod ! (And, KT, it's not even a wide-angle shot!) :)

Carl

BTW - the Story of Black Eyed Susan from, American Meadows

Ever wonder about one of AmericaÂs favorite wildflowers? Who was Black-Eyed Susan? Her story is one of the grand romantic tales of the wildflowers. And beyond legend, her name graces several of our most important and popular wildflower species. Legend says it all comes from an Old English poem of the post-Elizabethan era entitled simply, "Black-Eyed Susan," written by a very famous poet of the day named John Gay, 1685-1732.

All in the downs, the fleet was moored,
Banners waving in the wind.
When Black-Eyed Susan came aboard,
and eyed the burly men.
"Tell me ye sailors, tell me true
Does my Sweet William sail with you?"

There are several stanzas, explaining that her William was on board, "high upon the yardarm", and quickly scrambled down for a fond farewell with his lady love. It seems he was off to the high seas, but promised ardently to be safe and true:

Though battle call me from thy arms
Let not my pretty Susan mourn;
Though cannons roar, yet safe from harms
William shall to his Dear return.
Love turns aside the balls that round me fly
Lest precious tears should drop from SusanÂs eye.

This charming poem tells one of the great "Legends of Love" in our wildflowers, and every summer even today, it plays out just as the poem describes. HereÂs how it works: If you seed wild Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) with common Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), theyÂll bloom beautifully for you at exactly the same time.

What a neat story-thanks for sharing. I love black-eyed susans and sweet william-will have to try them together.

Thanks for sharing the story.

Nice pictures and story. Both were very nice to see tonight on here. Punk

Love the photo, love the story. I just saw my very first wintersown BES in my garden today. Oddly enough it is planted very close to my Sweet William. :)

Fabulous photo and great poem!

Thanks for sharing.

A stunning photo and a lovely story. Thank you.