#prairie sun

[cyeria]

Black-eyed susan

[sarahefuller]

Very happy to be part of this project at Coutts Centre in August! Come check it out if you are in the neighbourhood.

[hortushorrei]

Rudbeckia hirta ‘Prairie Sun’ at Corte Eremo, Mantua.

[ygbloominfridays-blog]

Prairie Sun or Gloriosa Daisy

Today, Robert (our founder) planted 108 of these gorgeous sunny flowers as a tribute to Sangit Surabhi and Pavaka Ensemble. These wonderful musicians perform the music of Sri Chimnoy in many concerts, mostly free, in Ottawa and the surrounding area. To celebrate the first concert at The Yoga Garden, they will be performing in our Amphitheatre, and anyone is welcome to attend. See www.yogagarden.ca for more information.

These thick stemmed and multi-branching plants grow to be 2-3 feet tall with blooms 5 inches across. This particular variety's color remains stable, and they flourish in hot and humid weather - perfect for our climate out here in the hills of South Quebec! They love plenty of sunshine, and space. They grow best if planted about 2 feet apart.

Historically, Native Americans used the plant to wash sores and swellings, as a poultice for snake bites and for treating worms and colds in children. Prairie Sun are great as a border in the garden, and look spectacular in a vase. Make sure to leave the late blooms on the stem at the end of the season as the cones harden and become a tasty treat for birds.