A native of western prairies, the brown-eyed susan is at home practically everywhere it can get full sun. The golden yellow petals and brown cone-shaped centers atop stiff stems make a distinctive garden flower that grows 1 to 3 feet tall. Sow seeds after they ripen in late summer. Plants also self-sow easily. Aquilegia canadensis, the Eastern columbine , bears nodding blossoms above deeply cut foliage in late spring to early summer.
Flowers are long-lasting when cut for bouquets.
Plant in moist soil that isn't too rich. If given a place of their own in the garden, columbines self-sow and produce new plants that bloom the next year. Though originally from Eurasia, the orange daylily settled down like a native and blooms extensively in summer along roadsides and in meadows. Though less appreciated than hybrid daylilies, the orange daylily is a natural winner too. Propagate by dividing the roots.