It's Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog! Today's flower is one that is blooming in my area right now, Western Ironweed. It usually blooms July though September and is in the Sunflower family. It is one of the most common pasture weeds in Kansas but is very bitter so cattle will not eat it though sheep will. It can grow up to 5 feet tall.
Happy Monday and happy new week! Starting off the week with an image of a couple of bright orange Marigolds. I have never been thrilled with the smell of Marigolds but I like the look of the flower and the details it has up close. Apparently other things in nature aren't fond of the smell either as it is a good companion plant to deter pests.
It's Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog! Today's flower is Carolina Horse Nettle. It is in the Nightshade family so it is related to tomatoes. It usually blooms May through September. It produces small yellow fruits that resemble tomatoes but are poisonous. Even though they are poisonous to humans and livestock, several types of birds like wild Turkeys, Pheasants and Quail will consume them.
Happy Monday and happy new week! I love Echinaceas or as they are also known, Cone Flowers. I love looking at their centers up close as they have quite the neat pattern. Reminds me of that old drawing tool, a Spirograph.
It's Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog! Today's flower is Showy Evening Primrose which blooms in May and June. I found these growing fairly close to my house in a pretty large group which was lovely to see. They usually open in the evenings and then close during the heat of the day and can also open on cloudy days. They are usually all white in color and are also known as White Evening Primrose but can get pink as the blooms age. Hummingbirds, Hawk Moths and bees like them.
Happy Monday and happy new week! I am growing a couple varieties of Ice Plant. They are succulent perennials that like heat and drought. They have not had much drought until recently as we have been getting a lot of rain but they should be perking up now as the heat has finally come on with less rain. This is the pink variety, I have an orange one as well.
It's Friday, TGIF! The Sunset Zoo had some nice gardens in it as well. One had Tiger Lilies which I have always liked a lot, I should grow them. Anyway, this image of one of the blooms had some really nice bokeh in it so sharing for today because Friday's Are Bokehlicious here on the Blog!
It's Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog! Today's flower is one I grow for the Bees and is called Beebalm or Wild Bergamot. It is in the mint family and usually blooms June through August. They are usually long blooming plants and are fragrant and attractive to bees. They are also drought tolerant which has not been an issue for us this year, so far anyway.
Happy Monday and happy new week! My Balloon Flower has been blooming. It's in a shady spot over by the Gazebo pond and it has been windy so challenging to get a decent photo of. I liked this one though.
It's Friday, TGIF! This flower has been blooming recently and has been looking pretty lovely. This is butterfly Milkweed which usually attracts butterflies but, unfortunately, butterflies are few and far between this year. I saw Monarchs early in the year and a few others but have not seen much of any since. Makes me sad. Anyway, this is a wildflower but sharing for today because of the wonderful bokeh, especially on the left hand side because Friday's Are Bokehlicious here on the Blog!
It's the first day of July, we are halfway through the year already! It's also Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog! Today's flower is one that makes me happy and is blooming like crazy this year. This is Black-eyed Susan which bloom May through September. It's in the Sunflower family and is formally known as Rudbeckia Hirta.
Happy Monday and happy new week! My Speedwell, or Veronica, was blooming recently. I love the color of this particular variety. Speedwells can be found in many colors and they have spiky flower blooms like this one and also small dainty blooms as well.
It's Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog! Today's flower is one that has been in bloom recently, Spider Antelopehorn. It is in the Dogbane Family and is also a milkweed. It blooms April through June. It is named after an antelope because as the fruits of the plant develop, they elongate and curve and resemble their horns.
Happy Monday and happy new week! My pond Iris bloomed pretty well this year despite the late cold snap and regular Iris not blooming at all or in very small amounts. This plant can spread quite a bit so I have to keep it in check but I find it quite lovely. I wish the flowers lasted longer.
It's Friday, TGIF! As I have mentioned, I love Musk Thistles even though they are not a very desirable plant. I love the geometric patterns on them and I think they look good even from behind. I love the bubbly bokeh in this so sharing it for today because Friday's Are Bokehlicious!
It's Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog! Today's flower is Indian Hemp Dogbane. It blooms June through August and is usually 8 to 40" high. Native Americans used the plant fibers to make various things like thread, cord, bow strings and fishing nets.
Happy Monday and happy new week! Starting off the week with an image of some Periwinkle or Vinca flowers. This is a vine plant that can spread quite a lot but fortunately has remained somewhat contained in an area of my garden. It has some nice greenery when not in bloom for a nice ground cover.
It's Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog! Today's flower is one I have seen recently and is about done in my area, Prairie Larkspur. It blooms in May and June and is part of the Buttercup family. This flower is poisonous to cattle if they ingest it. They may eat it as they find it palatable so it needs to be removed from their pastures.
Happy Monday and happy new week! My Columbine is alive though not really thriving. I need to refresh it's soil. It did flower this year so that made me happy as I love these flowers.
It's Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog! Today's flower is one that I find quite photogenic. This is Musk Thistle which blooms May through August and is part of the Sunflower family. It is considered a noxious weed in many states because it can spread very rapidly and will form dense groups that keep other plants from growing. It is very easy to spread and can reproduce even after being cut down. I find the leaves very geometrically appealing. I should have used this image for Friday as the Bokeh is fantastic. 😁
