Wildflower Wednesday ( a day late)

(from upper L-R across & down: Unknown Solidago (background), Pink Chelone, Vernonia or Ironweed and Beautyberry)

  I meant to post this yesterday and got caught up with other stuff,  so it’s a day late.   Well it’s the last full week of August and the garden is starting to push out some early fall bloomers.  This is a great year for my Beautyberry with it’s gorgeous purple berries.   Mine are just starting to change color from green to a pale pinkish purple color.   Another favorite fall bloomer of mine is the Chelone or Turtlehead which is a great shade plant.  Ironweed has been blooming since last week in the garden and it really looks great with my Lantana ‘Miss Huff’.  It’s new to my garden this season and so far I’m very impressed with this native.  Solidagos have been blooming for a couple of weeks now and they are truly a sign of summer coming to a close.   I’m ready for this summer to end, it’s been long, hot & dry in the garden.  Fall will bring some cooler temps and hopefully some rain.    To see more Wildflower Wednesday posts or to join in please visit our gracious host Gail @ Clay and Limestone.  Sorry that I’m late with my post Gail.

Wildflower Wednesday

 It’s the fourth Wednesday of the month so it’s time for Wildflower Wednesday which is hosted by Gail of Clay and Limestone.  Feel free to stop on by her blog and see who else is posting pics of their Native plants or join in on the fun this month.  Below is two wildflowers that are blooming in my garden today:

Rudbeckia laciniata or Green Coneflower

Rudbeckia laciniata or Green Coneflower is a member of the Aster family.  The common name is because of the green disk.  It’s also called Cutleaf Coneflower.  I got mine from my dear blogging buddy Janet @  The Queen of Seaford.  Initially it was in a shadier spot but I moved it this past fall in front of some Verbena bonariensis and they make great companions.  They both attract butterflies like crazy. 

Scutellaria integrifolia or Skullcap Hyssop

 I had to get a closeup of this pretty little native.  Skullcap Hyssop blooms on and off all summer here.  It also is a prolific reseeder but the seedlings are easy to remove.  Plus it makes a great filler plant so I don’t mind so much.  It’s not too tall so it works in the front or middle of a border.  It also is attractive to butterflies. 

 

Wildflower Wednesday

Asclepias tuberosa

Asclepias tuberosa is commonly known as Butterfly Weed because it attracts butterflies with the nectar it produces. The orange or yellow flowers bloom from summer through fall.  It is a species of Milkweed that is native to Eastern North America.  In addition it’s the main food source for the Monarch and Queen Butterflies. Of course the nectar also attracts Hummingbirds, Bees and other insects.  Native Americans used this plant in remedies for coughs and other lung ailments.  Here’s some more info on this pretty native perennial:

• Requires Full Sun
• Prefers a dry area
• Grows 24-36″ tall
• Self-sows freely
• Drought tolerant
• Deer Resistant
• Hardy in zones 4a-10b

This post is my contribution to Wildflower Wednesday which is hosted by Gail @ Clay and Limestone on the fourth Wednesday of every month.  Feel free to check out other posts or join in on the fun.  🙂

Wildflower Week: Downy Phlox

Phlox pilosa

One of the new additions to my garden this spring was the native Phlox pilosa also known as Downy Phlox or Prairie Phlox.  The common names reflect the fuzzy stems/leaves and it being found growing in dry locations such as prairies and woods. It is considered an eastern wildflower according to www.wildflower.org.

Downy Phlox or Phlox pilosa

I purchased this plant in bud a couple of weeks ago at the Native Plant Sale.  Here’s some more info on this herbaceous native perennial:

• Flowers from May-June (mine started the end of April)
• Found throughout eastern and central North America
• Grows 1-2 feet tall and 12-15″ wide
• Fragrant pale pink to lavender blooms
• Prefers Sun to Partial Shade
• Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
• Propogate by seed or stem and root cuttings
• Hardy in zones 4a – 9b

I’m joining in on the Wildflower Week Celebration that Gail @ Clay and Limestone is hosting.  It will be my first time to join in on the fun.