Thursday, September 5, 2013

Fun in the Front Yard

I am behind in most things, but have been having fun trying to catch up.  I am glad my substituting (as a paraeducator) is limited to two days a week until the end of November.  I can handle September knowing I will have more time to enjoy it as the temps cool off, not that they have yet.  I don't remember when I did my last update in the front yard, but got to taking photos the other day, so thought I'd do a post.

Many things are finished blooming, but a few are just now opening their blooms.


The cup plant still looks impressive, even though it's almost finished blooming.  Last year, I deadheaded it, but think I'll let the birds have a go at the seeds, and hope the neighbors don't complain about volunteers in their yards.


I keep forgetting which Liatris is which.  I think this may be aspera.  The bees have been enjoying it.


The Zig zag goldenrod is just starting to bloom.  Most of the buds are not yet open.


The Rigid goldenrod blooms are open now, and being enjoyed by the Goldenrod soldier beetles.


I think the whitish airy blooms are Boltonia.  They have been open a couple days.  I'm trying to remember if that's a different kind of Goldenrod on the other side of them.


I included this photo because of the small insects on it.  The leaves make me think it's another Rigid goldenrod.


I wonder if this Liatris is ligulistylis.  It is blooming later than some of the other Liatris.


Riddell's goldenrod is native to the states next to us.  It seems to like it in our yard.


I've enjoyed seeing the growth of the Little bluestem, Wild senna, and the Rudbeckia maxima, which is also native to states near by.


This is a closer view of the Wild senna.  I wish the bloom time was longer, but the seed pods are pretty cool.


The Rudbeckia maxima seed heads look good all season.  I hope the hummingbirds come soon to enjoy the Agastache and Salvia 'Black and Blue'.



The Pitcher sage is looking good.  They're another one just starting to bloom.


I love this color!  I need some more of this on the side of the house to offset all that yellow over there.


The Switchgrass cultivar, 'Northwind' is well behaved in this spot.


Turning back to the east, we see Liatris pycnostachya 'Eureka' and Gray-headed coneflowers, which I have deadheaded.  Behind, is the Sweet black eyed Susan.


Here's a better view of the Sweet black eyed Susan growing next to the lacy foliaged Illinois bundleflower.


The Switchgrass 'Prairie Wind' plants are blooming now.  I continue to enjoy the Wild quinine blooms.


I think I included this photo to show the blooms of the Prairie dropseed.


I'm loving the seed pods on the Illinois bundleflower!


Here is where I decided to show some wider views from the porch.






I hope all is going well with you and you are able to enjoy time in your gardens. 

13 comments:

  1. Oh, Sue-it's just beautiful. I can imagine your yard is all abuzz from the bees! Love that bundleflower seed pod. I've never seen that before. How neat!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Sue,
    Where has the summer gone! Everything is beautiful! Did I see pearly everlasting? Little did I know, until I found your blog, how many kindws of goldenrod there are. I'm thinking there is only one native to MA but I'll have to do a little digging to be sure. Glad to hear you will have more time this month to relax. Take care, Sally

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your yard looks great, Sue! You have designed and planted well, as evidenced by bloomers all season long. Love your focus on natives too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's so fun to visit your blog, Sue--I always learn something new or get new plant ideas. The Riddells' Goldenrod is so unique. If it's like most Goldenrods it would work well in floral arrangements. I love your chair in the middle of the plants. And the Bundleflower certainly is fun, too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Salvia azurea looks fantastic! My wild (locally native), specimens haven't begun to bloom yet, and never bloom as prolifically.

    Any Seedlings from the Silphium perfoliatum that came up in my yard would be treasured... Shocking to hear that you cut that beauty back last year...

    Really like your selection of natives... some great plants... Bet you have a yard full of song birds and butterflies!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I thought I saw pearly everlasting in pics 18 & 19. It grows wild here. I love it but my sinuses don't.
    Yes, I live in a small town. It's about 5000 residents. Do you consider that small? I live in Plymouth County about 30 miles south of Boston.
    Your neighborhood also has a small town feel.....were the houses built right after ww2?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sally, I just figured out it was the Wild quinine you were thinking was peary everlasting.

      Delete
  7. Sue, I like how your garden looks any time of the year!

    Each season has something special.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sue - Your garden looks just great!And I am really impressed with anyone who knows their goldenrod!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow---you really have a wildflower sanctuary there. It's awesome, Sue. I hjave several varieties of goldenrod but now don't know which is which! I do love the seedheads on the plants in the fall. The birds are going to be very happy in Nebraska this winter :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. So much going on in your garden, Sue, even this late in the gardening season! I love the blue of your Pitcher sage, too -- Can never have too much blue in the garden I think. I hope you have a lovely birthday! P. x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Sue, I'm really happy I popped over. I've never seen Illinois bundle flower before let alone the seed heads. Cool. I planted cup flower last year, and I'm so glad. It's such a wonderful plant, and the seed heads are so structural. Your front garden makes me wish we were neighbors. I could look at your garden instead of empty lots.~~Dee

    ReplyDelete

I welcome comments and questions from anyone, including those who do it anonymously. Some people find my posts by doing searches, and I like hearing from them. I guess spammers won't even read this message, but I will delete spam as soon as I see it.