Dane County Extension Teaching Garden

Rudbeckia subtomentosa 'Little Henry'

Sweet Coneflower; Sweet Black-Eyed Susan 'Little Henry'

Family: Asteraceae (Aster Family)

· Hardiness Zones: 4-8

· Height: 3-4 feet

· Spread: 1-2 feet

· Bloom Time: July to September

· Bloom: butter yellow, brown-eyed daisy-like flowers with narrow (quilled) rays around the dark chocolate central cone; borne on strong, branching stems

· Light: full sun

· Soil: best in well-drained sandy loam to loam soil

· Moisture: medium

· Use: perennial borders, cottage gardens, prairies, meadows, native plant gardens or naturalized areas, containers, cut flowers; spectacular in massed drifts

· Care: dead-head spent flowers to encourage additional blooms; cut back in fall or leave seed heads for birds

· Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems; powdery mildew may appear if air circulation is poor

· Native to: species native to central US

· Notes: narrow, sturdy, upright leafy stems resist falling open; deep green lance-shaped fragrant leaves; heat, humidity, and drought tolerant; flowers attract butterflies; deer and rabbit resistant

· Supplier: Landscape Designs, Inc.

· Teaching Garden Location & Code: Naturalistic Garden H183

Content produced through:

Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program

Questions?

Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program

Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'

Japanese Sedge; Variegated Sedge 'Ice Dance'

Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

· Hardiness Zones: 5-9

· Height: 9-12 inches

· Spread: 1-2 feet

· Bloom Time: April to July

· Bloom: inconspicuous brown flower spikes on long stems

· Light: part shade to full shade

· Soil: moist, fertile, well-drained

· Moisture: medium to wet

· Use: accent plant for beds, borders, rock gardens, rain gardens, cottage gardens, containers; ground cover; naturalize

· Care: low maintenance; may benefit from winter mulch; cut to ground in late winter; may be propagated by division in spring

· Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

· Native to: species native to Japan

· Notes: grown for its showy semi-evergreen ornamental grass-like foliage which shimmers in slight breezes (foliage evergreen in the South); near four-season interest; forms dense clump of sturdy, arching, triangular leaves with deep green centers and bright white borders; leaves are 1/2 inch wide and up to 12 inches long; leaf color is richest in shade; spreads slowly by rhizomes; deer tolerant

· Supplier: Landscape Designs, Inc.

· Teaching Garden Location & Code: Naturalistic Garden H160

Content produced through:

Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program

Questions?

Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program