I do not have blooms for Wildflower Wednesday, hosted by Gail, from Clay and Limestone. I do have seedheads, though. I leave the plants up all winter for the birds who eat the seeds, and for whatever critters live in them or use them in some way. I kind of like the looks of them, too.
New England Aster:
Purple Prairie Clover:
Cup Plant:
Mountain Mint:
Wild Senna:
Rattlesnake Master:
Illinois Bundleflower:
I had to include an Amsonia hubrichtii and its lovely foliage:
I can't remember which Liatris this is, maybe aspera:
I hope to spend a bit more time blogging, and reading other blogs. As I've said in the past, once the days start getting longer, my spirits are higher, and I am excited for spring to be on the way. We've had warmer than normal temps this week. Today, we broke the former record of 64 degrees by one degree. Next week it is supposed to get back down to our normal 20s and 30s. I'd rather have it now than in April or May. I feel bad for those in the east who got all that snow. I hope all is well with you, wherever you live.
It's those seedheads that give us new wildflower plants in the Spring!
ReplyDeleteHappy Wildflower Wednesday!
Lea
I can imagine the amount of birds you must have--how wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThis is the first year that I didn't cut down my flowers in the fall and I'm so glad --I have large flocks of gold finches in them
every day. It's nice to watch them enjoying all the seeds!
64 degrees yesterday? That must feel so good. Hubby and I had MINUS 4 degrees on our walk yesterday morning. We were so bundled up we looked like giant sausages walking down the road-LOL!
It's amazing how gardens can share a story and provide enjoyment even during the winter. It's like getting a subtle preview of what's to come in the spring. Thanks for taking the time to share the great pic's.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Sue ~ It was so GOOD to see a post from you. I thought about you the other day when I realized I'd not seen any recent posts. I do hope all is well with you and your hubby.
ReplyDeleteYour winter garden of seed heads is fantastic. I'm always amazed at watching your gardens come to life again each year.
Love & hugs to you ~ FlowerLady
I love the look of the seedheads, too, especially when they are covered in snow, as in your header photo. Snow has been in short supply here this winter, but I won't complain. I agree--I'd rather have normal winter weather now; once April comes, I am ready for spring! I'm still looking for a source for Illinois Bundleflower; you would think living in Illinois, it would be easy to find:)
ReplyDeleteSue, winter gardens have a beauty unto their own, don't you think. The grave yard of last summer's beauty is displayed in the remnants of it's glory. Standing brave in the winter weather to be a food source is no less important than being the source of pollinator activity in the summer months. Leaving the winter garden for the birds does make for extra spring cleanup activity but it is a great reminder of both the past summer and the coming spring with just a gaze out the window.
ReplyDeleteHave a great winter garden enjoying day.
Happy Wildflower Wednesday! I love the seedheads! I meant to ask you a question regarding your amazing native plant collection, Sue: Do you find that plants move around quite a bit in your garden? Do you have plentiful volunteers? And do you allow them to sprout where they will, or do you move them to match your desires? I find that I have quite a few volunteers with the native plants. Some of them I leave in place, and others I move to different locations or I give them away. Thanks for this lovely winter post!
ReplyDeleteI did not make it to all of the blogs of the visitors yet today, but hope to tomorrow. Beth, Some of the plants self sow, but when they do, it is normally right near the parent plants. Like you, I sometimes move them, and also give some away. I only let the cup plant keep the seedheads the last two winters. It did not self sow last year, so I'm curious to see if it does this year. I know I do not have room for more to grow, so they will be coming out, and if I do not have enough takers, I may put them on the compost. I wonder if they would end up taking off and growing it it, though. I'd have to let them dry out a bit first maybe.
ReplyDeleteWonderful wildflower memories to return in spring and summer....we have been bitter cold all month with a couple feet of snow but we missed the blizzard. I am looking forward to the garden this year....
ReplyDeleteI am on wordpress, so I don' t know if my comment worked the first time-so I"ll try again-please forgive me if I post twice:-). Lovely garden + I love natives, too. Husband is losing in the grass battle-lol, + I have two young grandsons. One lives near by and he is starting to take care of plants with grandma-LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteYour winter garden is beautiful:-)
Love these photos! They're almost better than blooms! While I wait for spring I've been playing with a new app called LikeThat Garden. You can take a photo of a flower, and it tells you the name and shows you similar-looking species you may like too. Thought you might like to check it out: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/likethat-garden-flower-identification/id957861141?mt=8
ReplyDelete