Wildflower Blooms

Several years ago we reduced the size of our turf grass in the yard and seeded a bunch of native plants. It takes several years for these plants to establish themselves and we just noticed, yesterday afternoon, that the ‘upland’ location (where the ancient farmhouse foundation is buried) is putting-on its own fireworks display. 

 

I figure as summer progresses more are going to pop. 

 

Here's what we got blooming so-far.  

 

Bee Balm (Wild Bergamot), Black-Eyed Susan, False Sunflower (Ox Eye), Motherwort, Pale Purple Coneflower and Feverfew (Wild Quinine).

 

 

 

Wildflower Walk

 

Heliopsis helianthoides.  Commonly called Ox-eye this native plant is a member of the aster family.  

A great butterfly attractant it is also another showy wildflower.

Walking the Dogs

Following days of storms we caught a break in the weather today.  Sunny, breezy, 73F (as opposed to 93F) and a comfortable dew point.  It's soggy in some spots on the trail but the girls got an opportunity to stretch their legs and get worn-out.  I suspect they'll be sleeping it-off for the balance of the day.

From our walk today there was this...

Bee Balm (Monarda)

Big Blue Stem (Turkey Foot) Taller Than I Am

Gray-Headed Cone Flower and Empty Nest Box

Turkey Foot, Switch Grass, False Sun Flower and Showy Tick Trefoil

More Native Blooms

Yesterday I posted some photos of the green-up ten weeks following our prescribed burn.  From our walk recently are some additional native prairies species that are blooming.....

Compass Plant

Foxglove Beardtongue

False Sunflower

Purple Prairie Clover

Pale Purple Coneflower

Afternoon Update

From our walk today there were prairie plants literally reaching for the sun.

Compass plant

Ox-eye

And a fresh batch of bluebirds in one of the nest boxes

With all the madness swirling in the wind it is healing to seek solace and take some comfort in the natural world.

Wildflowers

From our Saturday morning walk I present the following....

Black-eyed Susan - Rudbeckia hirta

False Sunflower (Ox-Eye) - Heliopsis helianthoides

Blue Vervain - Verbena hastate

Purple Coneflower - Echinacea purpurea

click on images for a closer look

 

Compass Plant - Silphium lacinatum

Raising a toast to native plants and the pollinators and birds that they serve...

False Sunflower

click on the flower to enlarge

Heliopsis helianthoides.  Commonly called Ox-eye this native plant is a member of the aster family.  

A native member of the aster family - butterflies are attracted to this plant and it is easy to grow.

Seems like ever week now a couple of new native wildflowers are to be found blooming in our pollinator planting.

Wildflowers

Wildflowers are beginning to bloom.

First the milkweed...

Followed by the penstemon...

And the false sunflower...

 click on images to enlarge

False Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides.  Commonly called Ox-eye this native plant is a member of the aster family.  

click on image to enlarge

A great butterfly attractant it is also another showy wildflower.