July 28, 2005
Black-eyed Susans
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The Black-eyed Susan is ubiquitous right now. Its Latin name is Rudbeckia, named for a 17th century Swedish botanist named Rudbeck. (Yes- we also thought that Linnaeus was the only 17th century Swedish botanist). There are 25 species of Rudbeckia, all of them native to North America, and the gaudy gold and bown flowers that we see in gardens are just sophisticated relatives of our familiar wildflower, known variously as Black-eyed Susan, Brown-eyed Susan or Gloriosa Daisy. The most frequently used variety in gardens is Rudbeckia fulgida var. Goldsturm, which means gold storm. Like many popular garden plants, Rudbeckia was discovered here in North America, taken to Europe, hybridized, and sent back to our shores, brighter and bigger. In the case of the variety Goldsturm, it was noticed in a nursery in the Czech Republic, developed in Germany, and then returned to us!
There are moments when we find the color of Rudbeckia a little strident and the plant overused, but not in the middle of a heat wave such as we have had this week. Rudbeckia stands up splendidly to crushing heat and humidity, and its intense yellow gold is more than a match for the mid-day sun. If you look around, most plants are drooping, and the tasteful pastels are washed out and sad, but the Rudbeckia looks as assertive and fresh as ever.
Posted by gardenguidenyc at 05:29 PM | Comments (0)
July 03, 2005
Hollyhocks
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The fullness of summer is upon us. Plantings have filled out, the leaves on the trees have darkened to the dull heavy green of mid summer, and flower beds are at peak. Horticulturally just as in all other ways, New York likes to be at the cutting edge, which these days means using tropicals as annuals to spice up traditional planting. Which is all well and good, because yes, there are too many impatiens, begonias and petunias out there, and a cana lily here and a banana leaf there can improve the picture. But here at Citygardenguide we have particular affection for old fashioned plants, plain and unimproved, and one of our favorites is the single (never the double) hollyhock. This week they are blooming wherever good old fashioned virtues are still valued; (joke!) in community gardens, in the Broadway Malls at 108th street, and in our public gardens like Bryant Park and the Conservatory.
The most picturesque display is surely in the perennial garden at Wave Hill, where stately groups of hollyhocks in pale yellow, pink and wine red preside over the summer garden. But there's a catch- lovely as they are- when they are over-they are very over; their papery blossoms shriveling into unsightly brown mush. So run don't walk to Wave Hill for an old fashioned treat.
Posted by gardenguidenyc at 09:22 AM | Comments (0)