A weed...yes, that is what most people would call this flower...a weed!
I don't know about you but this dainty, adorable little yellow flower is a welcome "native" and one of many that can be found growing and blooming...along with other pretty little natives...in a meadow area (that is about an acre in size) on our property. Every spring we let the grass grow and soon the "natives" show up in all their splendor.
In pretty pastel yellows...
And spunky little white frilly-edged, tiny flowers with yellow pincushion centers. Talk about sweet...the Southern fleabane is oh, so sweet looking!
The butterflies really love the pinkish red blooms of Tasselflower...so much so, that I leave them in flowerbeds around my home when they turn up.
The butterflies really love the pinkish red blooms of Tasselflower...so much so, that I leave them in flowerbeds around my home when they turn up.
Delicate bluish-purple wild Carolina petunias pop up everywhere. See the little insect on the upper right petal...he blends in so nicely. One of the marvels of nature.
Morning glories with blush shaded edges weave their way through the grasss attracting insects to its sweet pollen...
Here's a photo later in the day when the purple shading is at its best...
Here's a photo later in the day when the purple shading is at its best...
And, blue spiderwort that thrives in wet or dry ground. All of these plants are self-sufficient...only depending on the water provided by Mother Nature...
The aptly named Spanish Needles form nice colonies of white daisy-like flowers...
And, all are loved by pollinators of all kinds...
I believe it was Emerson who said, "A weed is merely a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered." Well, this Gray Hairstreak has certainly discovered the virtues of Southern fleabane.
Tall stalks of beautiful red-veined yellow orchid-like flowers are most welcome. I never pull these up...letting them go to seed, so they'll return the next spring...
And, pretty golden-colored native grasses glow in the sunlight and move in tandem with the breeze...
The aptly named Spanish Needles form nice colonies of white daisy-like flowers...
And, all are loved by pollinators of all kinds...
Tall stalks of beautiful red-veined yellow orchid-like flowers are most welcome. I never pull these up...letting them go to seed, so they'll return the next spring...
And, pretty golden-colored native grasses glow in the sunlight and move in tandem with the breeze...
A garden of a different sort...one touched only by the hand of nature.
It's naturally pretty!
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9 comments:
I love letting plants naturalize. If only more people were keen on letting these tough and hardy plants naturalize in their lawns!
It certainly is, Susan. You have much prettier weeds than we do. Sadly - and not so sadly - the city mows the field behind our house, and this spring has done a beautiful job of it - twice already! You have the prettiest blog!
How blessed you are to have room for your own meadow! You must be able to enjoy so much wildlife there. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos!
Wow, how wonderful to have your very own native wildflower meadow. I love all the blooms. DH hates Spanish needles. :-) They do spread as the seeds stick to your clothing, and they are hard to pull up out of the ground. Butterflies do love them though.
Enjoy ~ FlowerLady
Oh! A wildflower meadow of your very own! How wonderful! The picture of that grass is just the best. You must be seeing lots of butterflies and other wildlife enjoying your meadow. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Hey Steve...I see you're back from your honeymoon. Can't wait to see your posts on the places you visited. Well, these plants aren't in the lawn around my house...oh dear, my husband would freak out. They're located at the rear edge of the area that I garden. I do love seeing them in spring and getting a closer look.
Hey Sherry...We do have some not-so-pretty weeds, too but these are the prettiest of them.
Daisy...We do have a lot of wildlife around and lots of butterflies that love these weeds. I do feel blessed to have a nice-sized piece of property...only a small portion of which I actually garden. The rest is so beautiful in its natural state.
Flowerlady...Yes, Spanish needles spread like wildfire. They are probably the most prolific weeds around, but they do fill in spots nicely. Ahh, those needles are a real drag. I learned that the hard way, the first year I pulled some of the dead plants out of my wildlife area. My daughter and I spent quite a bit of time pulling them off my clothes. :-)
Hi Kay...The butterflies love these weeds...actually passing up my planted butterfly plants for these pretty little weeds. :-)
Oh, I love to see fields left to grow weeds naturally. They are always full of wildflowers and the butterflies and bees really can be seen everywhere. It's a beautiful meadow, Susan, and you've captured the glories of it well.
Meems
What a great pic of the hairstreak! Your meadow is wonderful. Native plants really draw in the wildlife.
Really enjoy your blog!
Hey Meems...My favorite as the fields of phlox in springtime. They are soooo pretty.
Hi Siesta sister...It's true. I've seen butterflies pass up my butterfly plants in favor of the weeds.
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