Sunday, August 5, 2012

Black-eyed Susans

Today I have a couple of pictures to share with you of my Black-eyed Susans.  As I write this I sit and wonder who was Susan and how did this native perennial get its name?  The center of the flower isn't even black, but dark brown.  Perhaps they meant to name it 'Brown-eyed Susan'.

Well, after my curiosity got the best of me I did a little research.  According to legend Susan comes from an Old English Poem of the post-Elizabethan era entitled 'Black-eyed Susan', written by John Gay (1685-1732).

This charming poem is about how Susan was searching for her lover, William, prior to his departure on a sea voyage.  She had been crying and had black circles around her eyes.  Sweet William (Susan's pet name for him) consoled Susan as the two of them said their final farewells.  Legend has it that 'Black-eyed Susan' and 'Sweet William' bloom at the same time to celebrate their eternal love for each other.

Here is the first stanza of the poem:

ALL in the Downs the fleet was moor'd,
The streamers waving in the wind,
When black-eyed Susan came aboard;
'O! where shall I my true-love find?
Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true
If my sweet William sails among the crew.'



This story just makes me love my flowers even more!  These photos were edited with the Florabella Collection using Ruth West's Wicker Texture.  The Vintage French Script Brushes are from the French Kiss Collection.

I hope my little story about Ms. Black-eyed Susan gives you a reason to smile!  This week I am joining the following blog parties:

Macro Monday @ Lisa's Chaos
NF Inspiring Photography on Monday @ NatureFootstep memes
Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean
Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes
Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time
Flower Art Friday @ Photos by LeAnne
Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday
Flowers on Saturday @ Blueberry Craft & Hobby

33 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Donna! lovely photos! thanks for the background on the flowers - I'll think of it every time I see some Black-Eyed Susans.

Terry said...

I loved reading the story and seeing your beautiful flowers!

Hugs,

Terry

Unknown said...

I now have a new fondness for Black-Eye-Susan and Sweet William. I adore the poem and I will be telling my husband the history as I tend to ignore these and he tends to take extra care of them.
beautiful photo's..Have a great day..

KarinsArtScrap said...

just beautiful Donna.

greetings karin

Denise @English Purple Ribbon said...

Hi Donna! Thank-you for the pretty poem! I like the background on your pictures. Denise

MiamiKel said...

What a charming discovery and so romantic as well ~ beautiful flowers!

Rosemary said...

Donna you answered my question of where the name came from . Thanks.

Chris said...

One of my favorite flowers! I loved the story behind them! Thank you for sharing!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

This is such a romantic story and now when I see these beautiful flowers I will know where they got their name. Your photos are lovely. xx

Birgitta said...

Beautiful, wonderful all the way!

Anonymous said...

loving the postcard like designs on your photos, :D

Prem

Anonymous said...

Lovely work!

Cynthia said...

I love Blackeyed Susans. Loved the story and love the pictures. Just beautiful

Cynthia

carol l mckenna said...

Lovely story and awesome and creative presentation of Black Eyed Susans ~ (A Creative Harbor)

Lisa said...

I love Black Eyed Susans. Unfortunately, I don't have any this year because the deer have eaten them all! Your shots are lovely!

sharonssunlitmemories said...

Isn't that just lovely - It gave me goosebumps. Your flowers are very striking too and I love the effect you achieved with your editing.

daisy g said...

How sweet is that?!! I can never get enough of rudbekia.

Beth said...

Great story! Thanks for making me smile today, Donna.

NatureFootstep said...

nice job. I love both cards. :)

Athena at Minervas Garden said...

Donna--Your pictures are so pretty--love the French postcard look! You are a whiz at photo taking and editing--they are lovely!

Liz @ Sit With Me In My Garden said...

Beautifully done! Lovely story....

Deb said...

Hi Donna, I'm visiting from Bloomin' Tuesday and enjoyed your story. The photos are beautiful!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

I like the story and the poem about the Black Eyed Susan. But I love the editing you did on yours!

Andrea Dawn said...

Love background stories like you have shared here . . . love the black-eyed Susan's.

Unknown said...

Beautifully done!

joanne said...

thanx for the wonderful post .... I am going to google John Gay's poem and read it in it's entirety....and I think both sunflowers and black (brown) eyes susans look like smiley faces!

Liz said...

Just lovely!

Canna Lily

Unknown said...

These are pretty.

My entry.

Bernideen said...

Such pretty thoughts and beauty and I thank you for coming to link to Open House!

Sarah said...

Lovely post! I have a few black-eyed Susans growing in my garden. ;-)

Fishtail Cottage said...

love your photo's....just so pretty the way you captured the black eyed susans. i made the mistake of planting them throughout my landscape for a fantastic pop of color during this time of year. the i realized they spread underground and choke out what ever is next to them. i've spent the past two years pulling them out of the landscape and getting rid of them. I did however, plant two in pots and a third in a huge galvanized planter to enjoy! Can't live with them, but can't live without them! ha thanks for linking up to Fishtail Cottage's garden party! xoxo, tracie

Kathy said...

Oh, I agree Donna, what a charming story! I love your photos - exquisite! I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Beautifully captured!

Thank you for participating in Floral Friday Fotos!

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