The Preakness Stakes and the Timeless Tale of the Black-Eyed Susan
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
May 27, 1873
On this day, Baltimore's splendid Pimlico Race Course played host to the inaugural Preakness Stakes—a race destined to become the darling of the Triple Crown, running its course two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks shy of the Belmont Stakes. The race owes its curious and whimsical name to a colt named Preakness, winner of the first Dinner Party Stakes, a name now forever woven into sporting lore.
The Preakness is affectionately known as "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans," a nickname as picturesque as a summer's evening- a tribute to the golden wreath of flowers draped upon the victorious horse.
Yet, I dare say, fashion and practicality have conspired to charm us with a quaint little deception.
Although the Preakness is sometimes referred to as "the race for the black-eyed Susans," no Black-Eyed Susan is ever used. When race organizers realized that the race's timing didn't coincide with the late summer to early fall bloom of Black-Eyed Susans, they found some yellow daisies and hand-painted the centers of the blossoms with a little dash of black lacquer to make them resemble Black-Eyed Susans. One must admire such cleverness as much as the petals.
Our beloved Black-Eyed Susan-Maryland's official state flower since 1918—boasts a lineage as charming as any debutante. Originating in North America and courted by Europe in the 1700s, this sunny bloom received its name from the esteemed Carl Linnaeus himself, who wrote with affection on July 29, 1731:
"So long as the earth shall survive and as each spring shall see it covered with flowers, the Rudbeckia will preserve your glorious name."
Garden enthusiasts everywhere cherish this flower for its generosity and grace. They bloom continuously from about mid-July until the first frost.
The Black-Eyed Susan is a great pollinator plant. As a member of the daisy family, they offer the classic daisy shape and provide the garden with a warm, yellow color that is perfect for ushering in autumn.
All that Black-Eyed Susans require is the sun. All gardeners need to do is enjoy them and remember to cut a few to bring indoors; they make fantastic cut flowers. Black-Eyed Susans play nice in bouquets, and they also look great as a solo flower in a vase.
As with any true belle, new variations have arrived to captivate admirers anew. In honor of the 150th anniversary of the city of Denver, the Denver Daisy was introduced in 2008. It is a cross between the Rudbeckia hirta species and the Rudbeckia prairie sun.
One of my personal favorites is the Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy.' Imagine a red Black-Eyed Susan, and that's basically Cherry brandy. Simply gorgeous.
But these golden ladies are not just ornamental-their role extends into the realm of social graces among wildlife. They offer food and shelter for birds and animals; rabbits, deer, and even slugs enjoy eating this plant.
As most gardeners know, the monarch and milkweed co-evolved together; the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly and the Black-Eyed Susan did the same. The Silvery Checkerspot lays her eggs on Black-Eyed Susans, which are the food source for the little baby caterpillars after they hatch.
In the delicate language of floriography, Black-Eyed Susans symbolize encouragement and motivation. A gentle reminder, indeed, that even in competition, grace and spirit must prevail.
