Rudbeckia

Today's the day ....................... to dedicate

There are still lots of these wonderfully sunny flowers in the garden - that I grew from seed.  I wondered how they came to be called rudbeckias - and I did a bit of googling to find out

The name was given by the famous Swedish Botanist Linnaeus, to honour his patron and fellow botanist at Uppsala University - Olof Rudbeck, and also Olof's late Father (also called Olof), founder of Sweden's first botanic garden.  Linnaeus had been tutor to the children of the younger Rudbeck and he had then recommended Linnaeus to replace him as a lecturer at the university and as the botanical garden demonstrator, even though Linnaeus was only in his second year of studies.  

Obviously Linnaeus was indebted to the Rudbecks - and this was what he said in his dedication to them - :

So long as the earth shall survive and as each spring shall see it covered with flowers, the Rudbeckia will preserve your glorious name.
I have chosen a noble plant in order to recall your merits and the services you have rendered, a tall one to give an idea of your stature, and I wanted it to be one which branched and which flowered and fruited freely, to show that you cultivated not only the sciences but also the humanities.
Its rayed flowers will bear witness that you shone among savants like the sun among the stars; its perennial roots will remind us that each year sees you live again through new works. Pride of our gardens, the Rudbeckia will be cultivated throughout Europe and in distant lands where your revered name must long have been known.

Accept this plant, not for what it is but for what it will become when it bears your name .......................