"Ihave chosen a noble plant in order to recall your merits," said Carolus Linnaeus in his dedication of Rudbeckia to his patron, Olof Rudbeck the Younger. Noble indeed! These relatives of daisies, asters, and echinacea have proud, open yellow faces and long spiraling leaves. They're hardy perennials that can be direct sown any time of the year or started indoors in late winter or early spring.