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If you plant Black-eyed Susans beside your door, no ants will enter, but the butterflies.....oh, the butterflies, they will just come right on in.
Aunt Bett taught me everything, she was an excellent teacher, but there was a time or two when I did a few things my own way. The day of the butterflies was one of those times. Memories are funny things. When I remember growing up in the mountains of southeast Kentucky, flowers of all kinds bounce around in my mind. It could be because I gathered so many different flowers with Aunt Bett and learned wondrous things about each one of them. I made clover chains to decorate my hair, I used flower dyes to paint my face and hair and any other body part that needed decorating. I hung flowers from the rafters, I placed them in jelly jars filled with water. I made corsages and crowns and pranced around like a princess. Flowers were my whole life there in the mountains. My favorites were usually blue, but I dearly loved black-eyed susans. There was something about them that always cheered me up and made me smile.
Rudbeckia hirta was most common in the mountains, though there were other varieties as well. It isn't uncommon to see them growing along medians all over Kentucky these days, most likely because black-eyed susans were named the 2007 Flower of the Year in Kentucky by the wildflower enthusiasts. Aunt Bett told me all those many years ago that the Native Americans used the root of the flower for tea to treat worms, colds, and externally as a wash for sores, snakebites, and swelling. The root juice was used for earaches. Since she had a great deal of respect for what the Native Americans believed, she used the black-eyed susan for the same remedies.
Black-eyed susans are very easy to grow, they like well drained soil and will even thrive in clay soils and will grow in full to partial sun. They are a favorite of butterflies and songbirds, and if you have the space you can use them to create a little wildlife habitat in your back yard. They are pollinated by bees, wasps, and other insects. Several different butterflies like this plant and the Pearl Crescent is one species that perches on the high center of the bloom and is attracted to the yellow color. If you plant them with purple coneflowers, maybe some asters and a butterfly weed or two, you are sure to attract songbirds and butterflies, as well as creating a beautiful cutting garden. The blooms will last from May through September.
Now that you are very well informed, let's go back several years to Aunt Bett's yard. I have mentioned many times that if it didn't have a purpose, Aunt Bett had little to do with it. She had a soft spot for me, though, and she knew that I dearly loved to decorate especially for her. Actually I am not sure it was a soft spot she had, it was more like a tolerance. So I asked her one day if I could plant some black-eyed susans in her yard. I really doubt that she paid a lot of attention to what I was asking, because she just nodded her head and went right on tinkering around in the garden. The black-eyed susans grew along the creek that ran along the side of her garden behind her house. All I had to do was jump over the creek with my trusty garden spoon and dig up a few clumps, bring them back and plant them wherever I wanted. I wanted to plant them by her front and back doors. So I did.
By late summer those few clumps had taken on a life of their own, they had spread across the back of the house as well as the front, and most of the time they were covered with butterflies. Now I knew for a fact that ants did not tread where black-eyed susans grew. The bristly hairs on the stems make it nearly impossible for ants to pass, so I thought I was doing a favor for Aunt Bett by keeping the ants out of her kitchen. One day when she was tidying up the last of her vegetable garden, I was back at the house getting my usual drink of water. There was nothing like the taste of a dipper full of cold water from Aunt Bett's well located right in the middle of the back yard. OK, stop here for a minute and picture this: Aunt Bett did not have screens over her windows or her doors. The front door stood open to let the air flow straight through the house and out through the open back door. The huge trees in front kept the air cool, so her house was really comfortable even on the hottest summer day. I noticed hundreds of black swallowtail butterflies floating around the black-eyed susans that were still in full bloom as I left the house, and I remember thinking that they sure were pretty dancing around on a bed of yellow flowers. I went on back to the garden to help Aunt Bett.
She didn't have much left to do, so we finished up and pretty quickly walked through her back door into the kitchen. Let me tell you, that kitchen was alive with black swallowtail butterflies, just flitting around checking everything out. Aunt Bett just stood there, frozen, and not a hair on her head moved. So did I. She finally opened her mouth to speak just as one sat right down in the middle of that white hair. I giggled, then laughed right out loud and did a little dance in the middle of the kitchen floor. My sudden movement caught those butterflies by surprise, or maybe it was my giggles that did it, because they all gathered up in a group and proceeded to float right on through the house and right out the front door where they stopped for a minute to kiss the front yard black-eyed susans good bye. Finally Aunt Bett breathed again. "Well I never in all my born days ever seen a sight like that," she said.
I never did either.
Years later when I was deciding on a name for my daughter who was to be born in the middle of July, the black-eyed susans were again in full bloom in my back yard. What do you think I named her? Well, what else could you name a beautiful little black eyed girl? Susan is her middle name, and she still has those beautiful black eyes.
Thank you, Ashley Susan, for being such an inspiration.
Photos are from Plant Files. Thanks to Photographers: MossRose, nausved, and leo_grrr.
About Sharon Brown
I am a retired high school art and humanities teacher. I grew up in the Appalachian mountains of southeast KY and now I live with my two rescued cats, Jazz and Daisy, in far western KY. I am an artist often doing commissioned work, and in addition to writing articles for Dave's Garden, I also write boating stories for a nautical newsletter. My greatest love is gardening, and learning the history of my state and its numerous wildflowers.
Posted by 6484 (from Whitman, MA) on September 12, 2008 at 10:42 PM:
You should write abook on your adventures.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on September 12, 2008 at 10:47 PM:
What a nice thing to say! Thank you.
I am thinking of doing just that, but it is a lot of fun hearing from DG folks, too.
Thanks so much for writing.
Sharon
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Subject: Did you know??????
Posted by Gitagal (from Baltimore, MD) on September 7, 2008 at 9:16 PM:
The Black-Eyed Susan is the state flower of Maryland.....and, yes! It grows everywhere.....
Gita
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on September 7, 2008 at 9:33 PM:
I didn't realize that, Gita....thanks for letting me know.
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Subject: passing on the name
Posted by edelseu (from Hicksville, NY) on September 2, 2008 at 11:54 AM:
We recently were someplace (can't remember where) with our twin granddaughters (2 1/2 years old), where we saw black-eyed susans, and we told them the name of the flower. Some days later, our daughter told us that they amazed her and some friends by pointing them out with the correct name.
The story was great, and I agree with others that you should really put your Aunt Bett stories together in a book.
Gene
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on September 2, 2008 at 12:00 PM:
Sweet story about your granddaughters, and thank you for your comments.
Yes, Pass it on.....our love of nature.
Sharon
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Subject: tribute to a wonderful flower
Posted by gloriag (from Floyd, VA) on September 1, 2008 at 12:11 PM:
When they are not blooming, I hardly ever think of them. When they are blooming, I wonder why I haven't made huge beds of them. I like the idea of combining them with asclepias and asters as additional attraction for birds, butterflies, and bees.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on September 1, 2008 at 1:53 PM:
I will keep reminding you that you need them!
Thanks for writing.
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Subject: Beautiful Story Sharon.....
Posted by PaulFromAL (from Piedmont, AL) on September 1, 2008 at 5:05 AM:
One of my favorites too, Black-eyed Susans......I got "Indian Summer" and I love them with purple coneflowers and "Homestead" verbena in front and Japanese Beauty Berry for a backdrop.....I can just see them butterflies fluttering around and through Aunt Betts house and you two being at the right place at the right time to see it.......Anyways great story, hope you're doing alright and enjoying the last of summer..... I don't follow the forums as much I'd like to here lately but I always try to keep up with your wonderful stories....
Paul from Alabama
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on September 1, 2008 at 1:54 PM:
How nice to hear from you, Paul.
Thank you, and happy change of seasons to you, too.
Sharon
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Subject: Lovely.
Posted by 4paws (from Hoopa, CA) on August 28, 2008 at 10:25 PM:
The images your writing created are just lovely.
Thank you!
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 10:44 PM:
Ahhhh...thank you, Paws.
You do say the nicest things.
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Subject: Best Article by You!
Posted by darlindeb (from Claremore, OK) on August 28, 2008 at 7:36 PM:
This was a joy to read. Your writing has just gotten better and better.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 8:06 PM:
Hello Deb,
It's been a long time. I just found your address this week and was thinking about you.
Thanks for writing.
How are your water gardens and your room decorating?
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Subject: Nice
Posted by phicks (from Lakeland, FL) on August 28, 2008 at 4:22 PM:
She Kinda Reminds me of my Grandmother Paul
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 5:05 PM:
Yes, and you would be one of her kinda kids to have around, too.
Thanks for writing.
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Subject: Imagine, Aunt Bett speechless!
Posted by BESusan (from Green Bay, WI) on August 28, 2008 at 2:04 PM:
The picture you conjured is certainly one I'll remember every time I look at all my hirtas, trilobas and goldsturms. Here in Green Bay we have plenty of Monarchs but I've only seen one Swallowtail flitting around. It must have been quite a sight.
As you might have guessed, BES are my favorite flower, my name is Susan and my eyes are brown.
Thank you for all your wonderful memories. Keeping Aunt Bett's spirit alive is a benefit to us all.
Susan
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 2:10 PM:
Sweet! Another Susan. It is so nice to hear from you, and to know that you enjoy the articles and my favorite flowers as well.
Thank you.
Sharon
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Subject: Black Eyed Susan
Posted by 24Corrin (from Tucson, AZ) on August 28, 2008 at 12:31 PM:
Thank you so much for that story, I just loved it.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 12:58 PM:
And thank you for letting me know.
Glad you enjoyed.
Sharon
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Subject: Another great one!!
Posted by marieortiz (from Tolleson, AZ) on August 28, 2008 at 12:02 PM:
Sharon another great memory and how blessed your daughter is to have you for a mother!!
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 12:11 PM:
Ahh, Marie, I am the one who is blessed.
Thank you.
Sharon
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Subject: top that
Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on August 28, 2008 at 11:12 AM:
Every time I read your stories, I think, "she can't top that". Once again, you have. I'm grinning from ear to ear, thank you for the lovely start to my day.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 12:13 PM:
Thank you Cathy
Nice to hear from you.
Sharon
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Subject: Beautiful Article
Posted by roserairie (from Chicago, IL) on August 28, 2008 at 9:51 AM:
I garden, go in the house to check Dave's garden for info and then back to the garden... and today I was getting ready to remove a huge patch of black eye susans to the compost bin and then I read your article. I'm still going to move the black eye susans but now it's going to be to another part of the garden. No wonder we had such beautiful butterflies this year -- and the first time we ever had yellow swallowtail here in my garden.
Rose
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 12:16 PM:
You sure get a smile for that one, Rose.
I love yellow swallowtails, well, I love all of them, and I am glad you had one this year. I am glad also that you have another spot in your garden for the BES.
Thanks for writing.
Sharon
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Subject: Awesome article!
Posted by Raggedyann (from Lawrenceville, GA) on August 28, 2008 at 9:15 AM:
I love your article! Reminds me of growing up in the south, taking walks down country roads, picking black eyed susan's and taking them home to my mom. I have many versions growing in m back yard today.
Susan
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 12:17 PM:
Hi Susan,
I guess we all have black eyed susan memories, and its great to share them.
Thank you.
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Posted by Raggedyann (from Lawrenceville, GA) on August 29, 2008 at 8:17 AM:
Thank you for your great articles! This one really touched my heart :)
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Subject: Aunt Bett has a place in my heart
Posted by Hemophobic (from Kannapolis, NC) on August 28, 2008 at 6:56 AM:
Sharon, I have adopted Aunt Bett as my own. I remember well the days before air conditioning when the doors and windows were left open for breezes to blow through.
You have lovely memories of your childhood and growing up in the KY mountains. I can just see your daughter's black eyes and smiling face!
Angie
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 12:24 PM:
Hi again, Angie....Thank you so much for writing. It is always good to hear from you.
This is my Ashley Susan, just about a month ago!
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Posted by Hemophobic (from Kannapolis, NC) on August 28, 2008 at 2:04 PM:
And just as lovely as I pictured her. Thank you for sharing her with me. I'm beginning to feel as if both you and Aunt Bett belong to my family!
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 2:12 PM:
Well....maybe we do!
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Posted by Hemophobic (from Kannapolis, NC) on August 28, 2008 at 4:00 PM:
Come to think of it, I do have some Estep kin in Kentucky somewhere over in the Ashland area!
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 5:07 PM:
Went to school with some Esteps, but not related.
Now if you had said Adams, Webb or Combs....well, then there would be a connection no doubt.
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Posted by Aunt_A (from Tulsa, OK) on August 29, 2008 at 12:43 AM:
Sharon,
Can I claim being related to you, too? I'm related to Adam...and Eve, that is.
:-)
Once again,
Totally delightful. I had to come back to visit your story again.
April
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 29, 2008 at 1:31 AM:
Anytime, April.
Thank you....
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Subject: love your articles
Posted by bseward (from Kilmarnock, VA) on August 28, 2008 at 6:45 AM:
Your articles are always paint such a picture; you're a true artist with words. Thanks for the pictures. Betty
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Posted by velnita (from Dayton, OH) on August 28, 2008 at 9:34 AM:
I also love to read your stories about your Aunt Bett. She sounds like a fascinating woman and you honor her well with your stories of her.
I can only imagine the sight of all of the butterflies in her kitchen. It must have been a beautiful sight.
If you ever decide to compile your stories into a book form, I'd be very interested in reading it. For now, I'll just keep an eye out here and enjoy your beautifully written articles. Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories with us. And thanks for sharing Aunt Bett.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 12:27 PM:
And thank you both for reading the articles and for commenting.
She really did color my world all those years ago. I am glad I kept all the memories.
A book, well, maybe.
Thanks again.
Sharon
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Subject: I love the black eyed susan too!
Posted by daylilydaddy (from morehead, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 3:48 AM:
This is one of my favorite flowers. It always though makes me think of fall soon approaching. I always let a huge amount take over the right main garden. This year I swear I'm going to tame them a bit, but not until the blooms are gone. My black eyed Susan field!
George
Great image of butterfly's in kitchen Sharon!
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 5:07 AM:
How beautiful, George.
Thank you.
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Posted by onewish1 (from Denville, NJ) on August 28, 2008 at 5:50 AM:
great story... thanks for the smile
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Posted by youngershirl (from Orange Park, FL) on August 28, 2008 at 8:04 AM:
Wow, I loved your story. My grandmother's house was alot like that. Even though she lived in Florida with no a/c, the house was always cool. She had beautiful flowers everywhere. I really miss those days. Thanks for allowing me to reminisce.
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Posted by nanny_56 (from Putnam County, IN) on August 28, 2008 at 8:37 AM:
Oh, I think this is my favorite one Sharon! I had the biggest grin on my face when I finished this one. That had to be one magic moment of pure joy and amazment.
I love Black-eyed Susan's too. They grow wild all around me. I have entertained the idea of getting a bit to put in my yard. I do of course have it's hybrd cousin Golstrum in my garden. But there is just no comparison....
This message was edited Aug 28, 2008 10:10 AM
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Posted by ascholz (from Summerville, SC) on August 28, 2008 at 8:55 AM:
Sharon, Awesome article! It reminds me of my grandmothers house in Overton Co. Tennessee. Thank you!!!
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Posted by Jan23 (from Salem Cnty, NJ) on August 28, 2008 at 9:00 AM:
What a wonderful word pic, Sharon. I, too, had a huge smile on my face as I read the article. I LOVE BES. What a terrific legacy for your daughter.
jan
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Posted by Soulja (from Louisville, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 9:56 AM:
really nice image Shar. I have a very specific film strip clip of that scene in my mind and a big smile on my face. it's lovely.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 12:31 PM:
I really enjoyed all your comments. Thank you so much.
It is funny how I can still see her standing there in that kitchen, which was really sort of dark because of the time of day and because of the shade of the trees. What really stands out though, is the butterfly on the top of her white hair.....I still giggle when i think of it,
They sure came flitting right on through the house, just like they were on a journey to another place....
Again, thank you.
sharon
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on August 28, 2008 at 4:52 PM:
Oh Sharon, even I feel speechless at the image of Aunt Bett speechless with a butterfly in her hair! A delightful article!!!
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 5:08 PM:
Thanks, Carrie.
It is one of my favorite memories.
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Posted by davis1676 (from Disputanta, VA) on August 30, 2008 at 9:10 AM:
Thanks for such a terrific article Sharon. I love how you make these articles so much fun to read & how it spurs my imagination and memory. I look forward to reading each new installment from you. Best of the rest of the summer to you.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 30, 2008 at 11:46 AM:
Hello again,
Thank you for writing, and great end of summer to you too.
Good to have memories, isn't it?
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Posted by Jan23 (from Salem Cnty, NJ) on August 30, 2008 at 2:13 PM:
AMEN to that Sharon.
At my ma-maw and pa-paw's ( these are the ones from Tenn.) house in NJ she ALWAYS had a pot of beans with fat-back and a rhubarb custard pie whenever we visited. She also made a quilt for me (supposed to be for my wedding, but got it later) that my pa-paw helped stitch. Probably because the quilt frame filled up the living room. lol. Anyway it has a special place in my heart, cuz they both worked on it. My mom wishes she had given her some of my old dresses to put in it. Hindsight is always 20/20. Looking forward to the next article.
jan
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 30, 2008 at 2:22 PM:
Hi Jan,
Thanks again for writing....I have a Quilting Bee article coming up maybe in early February. You might like it. Quilt frames all over the living room...Yep, that's a memory too.
Sharon
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Subject: First to comment, I think.
Posted by Aunt_A (from Tulsa, OK) on August 28, 2008 at 1:57 AM:
Well, Sharon.
What a lovely article!
Beautiful: "...they all gathered up in a group and proceeded to float right on through the house and right out the front door where they stopped for a minute to kiss the front yard black-eyed susans good bye."
I also love black-eyed Susans. They are happy flowers and they make me happy.
Thanks again for the smiles. I'm gathering happy thoughts this week so the sad thoughts will not be able to build a nest.
April
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on August 28, 2008 at 2:50 AM:
No sad thoughts for you, April...none for either of us.
Thank you.
