The celestial expression of yellow
June 28, 2008
In his book Yard Full of Sun, about creating a garden in the Sonoron desert, Scott Calhoun wrote, “Yellow is the color of the pure energy of the sun, and in country full of light, it offers the perfect celestial expression…”
He may have been talking about desert plants, in which yellow is the dominant flower color, but I think it applies equally well to all yellow plants, including common-as-dirt black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’).
Its sunny face and unwinking eye upturned to the sun that I shrink from, Rudbeckia expresses a love for the life-giving heat and energy of summer. I’m grateful for the reminder.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Great quote for this time of year Pam. The sun is making sure that we know who is in charge here. My Rudis haven’t
started blooming yet. It won’t be long though.
Rudbeckia! My favorite flower! What a wonderful quote about this cheery yellow flower. Mine are just starting to be in full bloom. I’m not sure why they are always so late–but they put on a full show once they start.
My favorite(-: I love their sunny faces(-: It just shouts SUMMER!!!!
Brown-Eyed Susans grow with reckless abandon in fields and abandoned garden sites here — you’re right. Their sunny, smiling faces are a great reminder of the gifts that are given during this season.
Love common Rudbeckia and am grateful you do too.~~Dee
Common as dirt – thank goodness for dirt.
Those Black-eyed Susans will always be on my list of favorites. Nice to see you’re growing the minimum number 🙂
Always loved Rudbeckias in my garden, tough and beautiful!
Very fun summer flowers and a wonderful photo of them.
I sowed seed of some variety of Rudbekia (can’t remember off hand) for the first time ever. The plants are growing but no flowers yet. I’m still thinking they might come on in the next little bit… hopefully.
Meems @Hoe&Shovel
In a few weeks when BES’s open up in my garden we will be having our own Celestial Celebration! Great quote Pam!
gail
Thanks for your comments, everyone. Enjoy your sunny yellows! —Pam
Yellow blooms are my favourites and I have lots in the gardens.
Okay – you folks stop gloating. Rudbeckia doesn’t grow worth a damn here in Santa Barbara. I’f course, I’ll be kind enough not to list all the gems we CAN grow that others can’t. Anyway, beautiful shot, great quote.
Hi Pam, that is the flower that takes us into fall and winter here, along with the echinacea. Ours are budded, the yellow petals still folded over the brown centers. You can now count the days until your fall allows you to come back outside. Do you have butterfly bushes?
Thanks for sharing this… I love the pot in the background with grass! LOVELY… wonderful idea. Greetings from your friend in the Midwest!
Scott has a new book coming out next March–The Hot Garden: Landscape Design for the Desert Southwest. I’ve pre-ordered it already. I think it’s going to be as good as Yard Full of Sun!
Aiyana
. . . and they bloom beautifully even in part sun! I’ve always had them. They’re definitely favorites.