Montrose last Saturday was a great place for insect watching.
Fiery skipper (Hylephila phyleus) on gomphrena
Pollinators were out in force, making the most of the glorious fall day.
Painted lady (Vanessa cardui)? on butterfly bush.
I particularly enjoyed watching these bees, their pollen sacs full of neon-orange pollen, coming in to feast on the dahlias:
My garden doesn’t have many fall native wildflowers (yet). One I do like very much, though, is hollow Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium fistulosum).
Native to eastern North America, Eutrochium fistulosum forms a massive clump, growing 5-8 feet tall and 4 feet wide in the moist soils it likes. Mine is a bit on the drier side, and so grows correspondingly shorter, topping out at around 6 feet high and 3 feet wide. During rainy spells in summer, I can practically watch it grow.
Butterflies and bees love the flowers, which are rich in nectar.
My plant suffered a setback from last year’s weather, I think; it’s half the size it was last year. Or perhaps it’s time to dig and divide. I’m keen to keep it going because it attracts so much wildlife. And the seed heads look beautiful all winter, especially under ice.
Ice on Joe Pye weed, Eutrochium fistulosum
Season: midsummer through fall; winter interest
Height: 5-8 ft.
Flower Color: Rosy purple.
Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zone 4-8
Foliage: Lime green, lightly serrated. Red stems.
Flower: Loose, rosy purple inflorescences.
Site: Prefers moist sites but will cope with average to dry soils.
Propagation: Division spring or fall.
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist and well-drained to wet.
Origin: Eastern North America
Life Cycle: Perennial
Wildflower Wednesday is a celebration of wildflowers from all over the world. It’s hosted by Gail and Clay and Limestone on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
Achillea ‘Cloth of Gold’ (yarrow).
Bees feast on bee balm (Monarda didyma)
My seed-sown Echinacea purpurea just began to flower this week.
I don’t have many of these plants yet. I had perhaps five or six seedlings survive my first winter sowing adventure, and last year (their first year) they slept, of course. This year they are beginning to creep. I have sturdy individual plants that haven’t yet grown into substantial clumps. I look forward to next year, when I hope to have an attractive if small sweep of them brightening up the blue slope near the road.
Wildflower Wednesday is hosted by Gail at Clay and Limestone on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
Writer, Editor, Fan Girl
Elements and Transformations
Cultivating a habit of observation.
It's why you leap.
The Art and Craft of Blogging
Acorns. And scurrying.
Horse Showing, Stall Mucking, Kid Raising, Garden Growing, Animal Rearing, Creative Crafting, Home Cooking, Penny Pinching, Coupon Clipping, Family Loving Moms
Real Gardening in my Real Garden
where things come alive
MissingHenryMitchell 