One of my very favorite flowers happens to be one that grows all across the country, most notably in the Midwest—the Black-Eyed Susan. It is known for its hardiness, thick stem, and lovely bright yellow petals. It is named for the large black center of the flower, which looks like a black eye (not the injury; an actual eye shape, of course!).

The beauty of the flower is that it is so hardy, you don’t have to worry about taking care of it—ever. We never do anything to ours and they come back every year, stronger than ever, and last throughout the summer months, attracting helpful bees as well as butterflies.