Patches of blanketflowers are painting the roadsides. We had a wonderful turnout for Waking up with Wildflowers last month. Thanks again to the fabulous Pecans.com for your delicious coffee and treats.
Captivated by brilliant yellow coreopsis!
We were so excited to find our first resident monarch caterpillars munching on green milkweed, Asclepias viridis, last week. It’s been 3 years since we planted these milkweed plugs. With patience and determination, we now know the truth behind “If you plant it, they will come.”
THIS is why we plant native flora and use organic gardening practices.
THIS is why we showcase a more wild landscape and continue to learn from (then mimic) the natural world in our garden ecosystem.
There is so much joy in sharing our garden’s bounty with all earth’s creatures (big and small).
Twist leaf yuccas blooming in front of the Goldthwaite Welcome Center.
Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus drummondii) blooms are a treat for the eyes this time of year. This native understory shrub does best in moist, alkaline soil. Their creamy white flowers provide an abundant source of nectar for many butterfly and bee species.
Sublime, sweet, and stunningly simple. Texas vervain (Verbena halei) is a native wildflower that comes in a brilliantly small package.
Lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) is a wonderful little wildflower that is easy to grow. Frequent deadheading of this native will keep it blooming through summer.
Dragonflies — the ancestors of which are among the Earth’s oldest insects — are aquatic insects that need a freshwater environment to breed… A garden with a diversity of plants will serve the need (for a food source) quite well because the flowers will attract a variety of tiny insects on which the dragonflies can feed.
A benefit to gardening for dragonflies is that they’re aerial predators that devour insects. Not only do they feast on no-see-ums such as gnats, they also help control the No. 1 summertime outdoor nemesis, the annoying mosquito. Their appetite for mosquitoes and their fast-flying ambush acrobatics while on the hunt have earned them the nickname ‘mosquito hawk.’ (Source: treehugger.com)
Dayflower, Commelina erecta, is decorating the area around our donor sign. These blue flowers have two large, ear-like petals that are only in bloom for a day. Luckily, there are several buds present that open 3-4 days apart so the ground maintains a constant peppering of these blue beauties.
The wildflowers are loving today’s rain. Last year, we had a garden full of verbenas. This year we only have one. What a difference a year makes. These flowers have a wonderful way of teaching us to appreciate each moment.