October Wildflower Wednesday

I am not sure how October got here so quickly. I am not ready for winter, but most of the flowers in the yard are finished blooming.  There are some plants with lovely colored foliage to share for Gail's Wildflower Wednesday, though!

The golden colored plants are Amsonia hubrichtii.  I just found out from the Lady Bird Johnson site that this is only native to Arkansas and Oklahoma.  It sure does well here in SE Nebraska, though!

One flower that still has a few blooms is pitcher sage.  This one is a native.  I believe it is this one.  I like having clumps of it in different parts of the yard, and seeing the insects feed on them.

The different kinds of amsonias bloom very early, and I am always sad the time in bloom is short, but this kind makes up for it with beautiful fall foliage.  The short-toothed mountain mint on the right is continuing to look good and attract pollinators.

Amsonia hubrichtii is another plant I have in different parts of the yard.

We had been looking south and west.  Now, we are facing north and west. Some of the clumps are not golden yet.

This is the big bed on the east side of the front yard.  Only one of the two round-headed bush clover plants survived last winter, and after being slow to grow, it did quite well this season.

We have enjoyed a very mild fall so far, but colder weather is on its way.  I hope all is well with you and your gardens, and you are finding native plants to enjoy.

Making a Commitment to a Signature Plant

Way back in the beginning of December, Tina, from In the Garden posted an article about signature plants.  I read what other bloggers said they thought would be their signature plants, but this is what I said in my comment to Tina: "I am having trouble deciding whether I have a signature plant.  I love different kinds of amsonias.  They have lots of little blue flowers in the spring, but provide good looking foliage all season.  Am I saying I am good looking in all seasons?  I don't think so.  LOL So in what way do I identify with amsonias?  I'm not sure.  Also, I have day lilies all over the place.  They grow in a wide range of conditions.  Each flower blooms for only a day, but the plants have lots of blooms and keep opening up day after day.  I love day lily bloom time."

Last week, Gail, from Clay and Limestone posted about an area she wants to plant, and is considering different bloggers' signature plants.  She said someone should adopt amsonia. As I was reading that, I thought I should do that. Then I read where Tina let her know that I have posted about amsonias, and so Gail put a link to my blog.  

With that all said, I have made a commitment to my beloved amsonias, which I have already expressed my love for.  I thought of another way I identify with them.  We like to grow and keep going strong even if cut back.  I still like a large variety of plants, though.  I am such a collector!

Amosonia Hubrichtii June, 2008:

Amsonia Tabernaemontana, June, 2008:

Love those Amsonias Pt. 2, Amsonia hubrichtii, Arkansas Bluestar

I meant to include the link to an informative site on amsonias in my last post. On my way to finding it, I found an interesting site, which can explain the confusion about different amsonias. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture there are lots of varieties. Check it out by clicking on the link. I haven't found the original site, but the Virginia Cooperative Extension has a helpful article on Amsonia tabernaemontana.  The one in my previous post was in full sun. OK, I found the site, but it was a pdf.  I am giving you the html version, and you can click on the link there, if you want the pdf.  It's Rick Darke's Amsonia in Cultivation.

I found Arkansas bluestar, Amsonia hubrichtii, at our Statewide Arboretum's plant sale.  They have chosen this plant for their perennial of the year.  There is some good information about it on the GreatPlants web page.  Just scroll down; it's right after the shrub of the year.

On May 3, the Amsonia hubrichtii, was just peeking through its spot on the east side of the house, where it was protected from the hot west sun.  To its left is a liatris that it likes to sprawl on in the summer.

By May 19, the plant had flowers forming.  (Clicking on these pics will make them larger.)

This photo was taken June 3.  Aren't the flowers pretty? Yes, it has supports, because it is so close to other plants. You can also see long slender seed pods.

By June 8, the plant appears to be finished blooming and is covered with seed pods.

June 18, I must have just given the plant this trim.  When cut, a milky substance leaks out, which can be irritating to the skin.  It looks like there is a bonus, my shadow, in this picture.  In the back, by the house had been a pampas grass my husband insisted on planting when our neighbor offered it to us when we were first digging that bed.  I had been waiting for him to dig it out, as it was getting huge, and I didn't think our yard was big enough for it.  I finally took matters into my own hands, and couldn't believe how easy that thing was to dig out.  I think it's because that wasn't a good place for it.  I put it by the curb, and someone took it to plant in their yard. So, it looks like some of these plants in the pic are still adjusting.

Here, on July 6, you can see the nice regrowth.  That's moonbeam coreopsis blooming on the right.

August 4.  The black-eyed Susans in the back got a disease on their leaves, but bloomed well anyway.  

September 7:

September 25.  The asters have finally finished teasing, and opened their buds.

October 25:

November 14:

December 16:

12/26:

 Again, I'm still in love!  (I'll be ready for spring soon, though.) I am adding one more link, and that's to Cameron's post that includes this amsonia.  Her blog is Defining Your Home Garden.