‘Tis the season of summer phlox and black-eyed Susans. The light to dark pink blossoms of the phlox intermingle with the bold yellow petals and dark centers of the black-eyed Susans.

Their presence in my yard brings a renewed summertime cheer on hot August days.

Even though the black-eyed Susan and summer phlox are native to Illinois, they can overpower other more persnickety native plants. I used to think people were planting too many black-eyed Susans when creating native gardens, and at one time they were everywhere in my yard. But now they’re contained in a few places in the backyard, enough to create a dramatic view.

They get mown over or pulled out when they become too prolific, and you can gather them in a bunch to bring to a friend. Note to gardeners who want to plant black-eyed

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