Talks About Hardy Perennials 
IV. THE THREE-LOBED CONE-FLOWER 
By W. C. EGAN 
T HE common Black-eyed-Susan, Rudbeckia 
hirta, of our fields, is far surpassed as a 
garden plant by Rudbeckia triloba , the three- 
lobed cone-flower. I know of but one common 
name applied to it, not a very elegant one at that, 
viz: “nigger heads.” It is a biennial, but self¬ 
sows itself freely. Seed sown in June produce 
stronger plants than those found around the par¬ 
ent. It is one of my favorites, not only on account 
of its decorative and lasting qualities when cut, but 
I consider it one of the most cheerful appearing 
flowers in the garden. A few moments’ view of the 
group will cure the worst case of blues extant. 
Last summer when decorating for an entertain¬ 
ment at the Exmoor Golf Club I took up a well- 
developed plant, roots and all, and placed the 
roots in a tub of water, where it remained over an 
hour. Then a hose was played upon the roots to 
rinse off the soil and it was carried in an open surrey 
to the club house, some three quarters of a mile 
distant, where sun and wind is apt to induce a plant 
to wilt, and then placed in water in a vase. Not a 
leaf wilted and it remained in good condition for a 
week.T No human hand could have arranged the 
flower as Dame Nature had and the bouquet was 
extremely graceful and imposing. 
Canterbury bells and the annual asters may be 
taken up when in bloom, potted, set in the shade and 
away from drafts for a day or so, and remain in good 
condition, but this was my first experience in freeing 
the roots from soil and immersing them in water. 
In full sun, and room to develop, this Rudbeckia 
makes a very symmetrical plant three to four feet 
tall and about three wide, carrying thousands of 
blooms, each held well to view. The flower is some¬ 
what smaller than that of the Black-eyed-Susan, 
but vastly more numerous, the ray-florets, being 
eight in number, are a rich deep yellow and the disk 
a blackish purple. It is one of the most accommo¬ 
dating plants I know of, growing almost anywhere. 
It may be used to advantage under standard shrubs, 
or any open place in the shrubbery, even if there is 
overhanging foliage, provided, however, that there 
is head room for them. They are splendid as a border 
to a large bed of hybrid delphiniums, as the latter will 
tower over them when in bloom, and be hidden by 
the Rudbeckias when cut down after flowering. 
fust ten years ago, Rudbeckia Golden Glow made 
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