I really, really, really would prefer to do the yard with a ground cover that needs edging a couple times a year, the flower beds I already have planned, maybe a section of desert/sand, rock garden, whatever. I hate grass and I hate maintaining it. I can envision the yard with the flower beds, a rock garden arrangement on the slope, all sorts of things. But unfortunately, I don't get the deciding vote. The family caved on the rose beds and a few other things, so I traded - I keep the plants, the dogs and get to add some garden stuff, they get the lawn. Diplomacy at work. I am trying to reduce the size of the grass, though, add more foliage and so on that will remain sedate but cut back on the stupid lawn. Still working on squeezing in the yellow brick road, the hookah-smoking caterpillar, the lilliputian village and a couple other silly things. I already won the dolphin and the hippo. Might be able to manage the gargoyles but I had to give up the koi pond. Not asking for much, am I?

Emily -- could be time of day you picked or also the plant conditions. If the plants are stressed, then you have to be even more careful about picking time. Early, early in the day is usually the best and immediately into water. Take a bucket with you. I've had some success with late-in-the day picking (by necessity) just before dark when the plants have started to revive a bit from the heat. The warmish water would be OK, but put container in a cool place, as mentioned, out of the sun and any breeze to hydrate. Wish I had some of this variety to cut this year. Missed planting it and now some of my other Rudbeckias are getting the critter haircuts.

They're very pretty. Thats about all I get to see since the gas prices have gone so high. Never tire of it.

Gorgeous colors, Ann! Yours looks considerably bushier than mine. Mine is a classic limited HT shaped bush with a couple of tall narrow canes and a few blooms at the top. I love the blooms but there aren't that many of them for me even in decent sun and conditions. Still, I consider it a keeper (it takes a lot for me to boot a rose, but this one earns its narrow garden space). Mine is root hardy but never cane hardy in zone 5. Cynthia