276/365: white prairie asters
The asters have won my heart for the sheer exuberant volume of blossoms they produce, for being hearty and beautiful in a kind of workaday way, for blooming so late in the season when the garden is a mess and I’ve lost my gumption for it until next spring. We might all pursue our vocations with such earnest cheer.
271/365: cup plant
More autumn blooms in my yard. The native garden keeps on giving!
259/365: autumn assemblage
New colors are seeping into the landscape to break up the endless waves of green.
I’m ready.
254/365: purple dome asters
Our garden has never had much fall interest so this year I’m excited about the new asters in the native plant garden. So excited, in fact, that I couldn’t wait for them to open entirely before photographing them several days in a row. There is something magical about emergence, being poised on the brink of discovery but with so much left unknown.
251/365: painted lady fern
I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
– John Burroughs
246/365: purple woods aster
Walking through the summer woods is a largely monochromatic experience. Green on green. Any other color really stands out.
I’m happy either way: I never tire of the infinite shades and textures of the leaves but the surprise of a wildflower is always welcome.
226/365: monarch in the prairie garden
I could tell from the tattered wings that it’s been a tough journey. What a relief it must be to come upon a native plant feast like my neighborhood prairie garden!
It is SO good to see each and every monarch this year. Wishing them safe travels and plenty of flowers along the way.
221/365: wild senna
You can tell the native plants BELONG here because of the way they thrive.
We chose the wild senna for the cool shape of the leaves. We had no idea that it would grow taller than me the first season (I’m 5’3 so it’s not a huge feat, but still).
If you live in the Twin Cities, please let me know if you’d like one of these giants for your own garden. I’ve got babies all over the place and I’m happy to share. Be ready for a soundtrack of contented buzzing – the pollinators are coming in droves.
A spectacular sunset on a rare evening boat ride. Water and sky meeting in benevolent flames.
The world is just dripping with jaw-dropping wonder.
#extraordinaryeveryday
211/365: sunset, reeds, and ripples
Another new appearance in the native plant garden. This one is said to attract hummingbirds. Fingers-crossed…
205/365: royal catchfly
avant garden 365 