It's been a long time since I posted photos of flowers. Perhaps it's because it was too hot (mid- to upper-90s) most of the summer and the plants went into survival mode. But now a few prolific fall wildflowers have exploded with color.
Below is Eastern aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium). It takes sun or part shade, and even though it flops in my garden because of lack of sun, it blooms profusely.
I adore the color of New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae).
Here is oxeye or false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), blooming happily. It is flopping (like most of my sun-loving plants), but if you have full sun it will grow 3- to 6-feet tall. I think it would look beautiful planted with the two asters above.
I believe the plant below is Rudbeckia hirta var. angustifolia (see narrow leaves at top left of photo), but please correct me if I'm wrong. It was a freebie from my time volunteering at the N.C. Botanical Garden.
All of the wildflowers featured here attract butterflies. Notice the nice flat landing pads and easy-access pollen.
Native trees and shrubs are fruiting. Birds have been feasting on dogwood berries.
Below is Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite.' So far, the birds don't seem interested in it, which allows me to enjoy the beauty of the berries. It's growing in part sun and average soil in my garden, though I have read it prefers full sun and wet soil.
Beautyberry's (Callicarpa americana) purple berries are stunning.
I'm happy to participate in Wildflower Wednesday hosted by Clay and Limestone.
3 comments :
My sun lovers are notorious floppers! I push the rules because I want them in the not quite sunny enough garden. Seeing your beautyberry reminds me that I have never gotten around to getting it for the garden~ Glad you joined WW so I could see yours and add that to the to get list! Also, to meet another native plant lover. gail
Beautiful! I like the landing pad analogy - never thought of it that way. And the beautyberry is just stunning.
Gail, always nice to meet another native plant fan! I have to push the rules or my garden would be a sea of green.
Town Mouse, thanks for landing :) Beautyberry is nondescript most of the year, but in fall it is glorious.
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