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!
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.
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.
Another new appearance in the native plant garden. This one is said to attract hummingbirds. Fingers-crossed…
205/365: royal catchfly
Capturing this photo felt akin to bottling sunshine. Now if I can just figure out how to do it with time…
202/365: prairie coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)
Every time I see one of these huge puff balls, it brings me back to my 70’s childhood. We used to have to stop the car so my mom and grandma could climb into the ditch to pick them. Back home, they were given the AquaNet treatment and put on display.
Funny which moments turn golden as time goes on.
187/365: puff ball at the prairie garden
This gorgeous blossom is undergoing a rebranding effort in the name of monarch survival. Commonly referred to as Swamp Milkweed, the plant is one of the essential natives for monarch caterpillars. In an effort to encourage more gardeners to embrace this beneficial plant, the new moniker lends a more delicate, desirable image. This is no swamp plant: it’s Rose Milkweed (thank you very much).
173/365: rose milkweed
avant garden 365 