I haven't been posting as much as I used to, but I am determined to at least post for Gail's Wildflower Wednesdays once a month. I remembered last week, but the day came up, and oops, I didn't have my post ready. I went out this morning, and took some photos, and here I am while our now 11 month old granddaughter is napping. I watch her 4 days a week, and am kept very busy with her. She is a sweet thing, though, and I think she is going to be a gardener. She loves being outside, looking at flowers and getting excited when she sees insects.
The stars of the show so far have been the amsonias. I decided I was going to look up the flowers I am posting about in my books and provide information on them like Gail does, but for some reason, they were not in books. I know they are not native to Nebraska, but they aren't in the North American field guide I have, either. They are in the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower site, though.
This is Amsonia illustris, 3 to 6 feet, about 4 feet here, native to Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. The site says the amsonias prefer part shade and moist conditions. This one gets quite a bit of sun, and isn't always moist. This spring, they have had lots of moisure, though, since we've broken a record for the most rain in May. They are said to attract butterflies. I'm not seeing as many butterflies as I was before all the rain, but I'm thinking there were some on the amsonia blooms.
I wish the bloom time was longer.
I am pretty sure this one is tabernaemontana, but I could be wrong, because the Lady Bird Johnson site says it gets 1 to 3 feet.
I was thinking this one is also tabernaemontana. I wish I had a better memory. The false baptisa plants sure are doing well this season! I have seen bumblebees on them.
These two plants have been growing next to each other for a number of years.
Amsonia hubrichtii is only native to Arkansas and Oklahoma. They sure do well here, and look good in all seasons.
Leadplant has a good amount of native range, including Nebraska. It is a slow grower, and sometimes needs protection from rabbits, but I'm so glad I stuck with it, and planted more once I figured out how much I like it. It's another with blooms the pollinators are attracted to, and can be dried to make tea with. This one is growing next to a day lily my mother-in-law planted when she was alive and lived here. That's a penstemon in front of it.
Here's another hubrichtii growing in the front yard. The yellow bloom is golden alexanders.
I managed to protect a clump of phlox pilosa, one Gail loves, from the rabbits. This one may be a cultivar, though. I planted some of each, and don't remember where each was planted. I sure am enjoying the golden alexanders! They are a host plant for black swallowtails and are visited by native bees. I have seen a few caterpillars on them in the past, and hope to this year as well.
When I hear reports of flooding and severe weather, I try to remember who I know from blogging who lives in those areas. I hope all of you are OK and able to enjoy being in your gardens, or are able to make the repairs needed so you can.
The stars of the show so far have been the amsonias. I decided I was going to look up the flowers I am posting about in my books and provide information on them like Gail does, but for some reason, they were not in books. I know they are not native to Nebraska, but they aren't in the North American field guide I have, either. They are in the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower site, though.
This is Amsonia illustris, 3 to 6 feet, about 4 feet here, native to Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. The site says the amsonias prefer part shade and moist conditions. This one gets quite a bit of sun, and isn't always moist. This spring, they have had lots of moisure, though, since we've broken a record for the most rain in May. They are said to attract butterflies. I'm not seeing as many butterflies as I was before all the rain, but I'm thinking there were some on the amsonia blooms.
I wish the bloom time was longer.
I am pretty sure this one is tabernaemontana, but I could be wrong, because the Lady Bird Johnson site says it gets 1 to 3 feet.
I was thinking this one is also tabernaemontana. I wish I had a better memory. The false baptisa plants sure are doing well this season! I have seen bumblebees on them.
These two plants have been growing next to each other for a number of years.
Amsonia hubrichtii is only native to Arkansas and Oklahoma. They sure do well here, and look good in all seasons.
Leadplant has a good amount of native range, including Nebraska. It is a slow grower, and sometimes needs protection from rabbits, but I'm so glad I stuck with it, and planted more once I figured out how much I like it. It's another with blooms the pollinators are attracted to, and can be dried to make tea with. This one is growing next to a day lily my mother-in-law planted when she was alive and lived here. That's a penstemon in front of it.
Here's another hubrichtii growing in the front yard. The yellow bloom is golden alexanders.
I managed to protect a clump of phlox pilosa, one Gail loves, from the rabbits. This one may be a cultivar, though. I planted some of each, and don't remember where each was planted. I sure am enjoying the golden alexanders! They are a host plant for black swallowtails and are visited by native bees. I have seen a few caterpillars on them in the past, and hope to this year as well.
When I hear reports of flooding and severe weather, I try to remember who I know from blogging who lives in those areas. I hope all of you are OK and able to enjoy being in your gardens, or are able to make the repairs needed so you can.