Tags
Artemisia 'Powis Castle', Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta), Possumhaw Holly, Ravenscourt Gardens, Worm wood
In the way back corner of our property is a small quarter circle garden next to the big hurricane fence and work gate. I have planted a lovely Possumhaw holly, some sages, milkweed and Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’. It is meant to be a wildlife garden. The birds must have heard and decided to plant Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta).
Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)
These flowers just love this corner of my garden. They come back every year and I swear they grow taller every year.
Can you see the possumhaw holly? There is actually a good sized bird bath in there too!
This year the Black-eyed Susans are encroaching on my Canna Row. Thinking about thinning them.
I have read that they are suppose to be around 2 to 3 feet, although the Farmer Almanac said or more : ). You can see ours are already taller than the neighbors garage. Perhaps it is our healthy soil and the seaweed extract we put through our drip-tube irrigation system now and again.
Here you can see the holly behind them.
I love there cheerful yellow flowers and enjoy them every morning from my kitchen window!
I am hoping the birds have a nice little feast. In fall when all the seeds are spent we cut them down and I then I work on the garden to make it pretty for winter.
Ravenscourt Gardens 
Oh dear. I planted some black-eyed susans last fall but they are nowhere NEAR that size. Mine are just developing their third set of leaves. I had heard they will tolerate some shade but I guess maybe that tolerance was overrated … I should let the birds choose where they go next time haha
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Good Morning Debra, I should send my birds with their super seed your way. Actually I can collect some seeds for you in the fall and send them to you via snail mail : )
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That is so generous. Thank you. I am not sure even super sized seeds will work, though. The property really does have a closed canopy once the pecans leaf out. One thing I could really use is some way to really measure shade and really describe shade tolerance in plants. The zone system really works for cold tolerance but it sure would be handy to have another system for heat tolerance and one for shade tolerance. I don’t mind experimenting and guessing (sometimes it works) but it would be nice sometimes to have a guide.
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Offer is still good! Besides trial and error, i find it helps to look at plants in your neighbors gardens. I am always looking at what does well here in Houston as I walk or drive around. I was shocked after our couple of days in the 20’s, this winter, when most of the plants froze to the ground, the ligularia were just as happy as can be. They bloom in fall even in the shade. I like the giant ones. I think their leaves look like tractor seats. Firespike is less cold tolerant, ours were frost bitten. But it does well and blooms in the shade. After that I go for leave color. Another favorite is Acuba gold dust. I am zone 9a but they are thinking to change our little patch to 8b. I know you are in Texas but not where : )
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You are the sweetest person ever! I am in Austin. I do look around to see what my neighbours grow but they have WAY more sun. My lot is like this little island of shade. As you note, trial and error does eventually work. The native potato is taking off and I am really pleased with the indigofera. Another thing I tried this year is the perennial begonia and I think I may be falling in love heh
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Wow, Laurin, I tried to grow a mixed package of Rudbeckia seeds one year and they did OK but did not return. I’m glad you enjoy them, they are quite the invasive plant. I’m trying to grow Cannas this year but can’t decide if I should risk growing them in the ground.
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Hi Hanna, yes invasive but also native! I just can’t figure out why mine are so tall…I love cannas and mine can stay in the ground because we have relatively mild winters in Houston. The bugs get to them but they are super easy and I like the way they hid the fence. Perhaps you can just dig them up at the end of fall, or put down heavy mulch.
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I grow them too and they are pretty but invasive. I have never seen them as tall as that. Must be all that sea weed.
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Happy Bloom Day, Laurin! I can’t believe how large your Rudbeckia are already. We have to wait until mid to late summer to see any bloom on the Lot. Also, I may pick your brain about drip irrigation while we are roomies at the Portland Fling. (Here’s to hoping I remember to do so.) Thank you for sharing your garden.
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Good Morning Jane : ) Happy to send you info on drip irrigation via email. See you in July!
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