Such beautiful photography. Ours are just now blooming in SE Michigan. What do I like best? That we didn’t plant them, they just appeared, and the patch keeps growing!
If I understand correctly, Facebook won't allow you to link to Bleeding Heartland in your Iowa Wildflower Report FB page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/937730669582578). I'm sorry, because the planet certainly needs people who notice and care about nature. And the more it gets brought to attention, the better.
It's hard for me to wrap my head around the logic, but I think it's because Facebook doesn't want links to take eyeballs away from FB. They seem to be saying that if I were to post the link myself, that would also be taken down.
I had been sharing Bleeding Heartland's wildflower posts in the Iowa Wildflower Report group for years. But suddenly in the spring of 2020 the admins decided that was a violation of their rule against "political" content. They also accused me of "soliciting" by occasionally asking people if they had any photos of a certain flower they'd allow me to publish with attribution to them.
It's a long story but the admins banned me from the Iowa Wildflower Report Facebook group in the spring of 2020. That's why I started the Iowa Wildflower Enthusiasts Facebook group instead.
Thanks Susan. I hope you get seeds of wildflowers that are native to where your garden lives. So's the flowers will support your caterpillars and thus your baby birds.
Oh truly, I will continue to plant California Poppies and other native wildflowers! These central California hillsides, ten miles inland from the Monterey Bay, are so wonderful...Coast Live Oaks, Redwoods, Doug Firs, Madrone...and all sorts of undergrowth and wildlife! A privilege to live here, to sow seeds, plant native plants...try to keep it all natural and working in sync with Mom-Nature! Your Gaia Posts help! Oh, to live with Mom and thrive as She and Her Creation does, if we let it do its thing, aiding where we can!!
Ah, lovely. Thank you. I admire you for being a trained botanist. I don't know why I couldn't have discovered this interest when I was of school age, when I could have studied it. It must be such a luxury to sit in a lecture and listen to someone who really understands the intricacies explain them!
I did very much enjoy the lectures in my Botany course and it set me up with an interest for life and has helped in a few of my jobs too. On the other hand, it's good to discover a new interest later in life, as you've done with botany.
Thank you, Diane! I have three or four varieties of Liatris in my garden, but did not know much about them. Now I need to get out my magnifiers and look at the florets. I’ve stopped putting out hummingbird feeders and increase nectar sources each year. Between Buckeyes, Pestemon, Ruellia, and Liatris, I seem to have it covered. You’ve given me quite an education here.
Cathy, it sounds like you have a naturalist's paradise of a garden. Best of success with your wise and meaningful efforts to support birds and other wildlife.
Lots of people call them Gay Feather here, too. There's little agreement on common names, and yet the scientific names (e.g. Liatris pycnostachya) put up such formidable barriers!
Our gayfeather blooms wild here in August so we're a still few weeks away. Thanks for the lovely, lovely hummingbird's-eye view of the blossoms. I've admired these for 35 years and never got such a close look at it!
You are so lucky to have lots of species of hummingbirds! After 42 years living in Iowa, hummers are something I certainly miss from my time growing up in So Cal.
Such beautiful photography. Ours are just now blooming in SE Michigan. What do I like best? That we didn’t plant them, they just appeared, and the patch keeps growing!
I agree! There is a special thrill in wildflowers planted by the hand of nature.
I have published your post. Thank you!
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2024/07/24/iowa-wildflower-wednesday-prairie-blazing-star-2/
Thank you for cross posting this on your blog, Bleeding Heartland (https://www.bleedingheartland.com).
If I understand correctly, Facebook won't allow you to link to Bleeding Heartland in your Iowa Wildflower Report FB page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/937730669582578). I'm sorry, because the planet certainly needs people who notice and care about nature. And the more it gets brought to attention, the better.
It's hard for me to wrap my head around the logic, but I think it's because Facebook doesn't want links to take eyeballs away from FB. They seem to be saying that if I were to post the link myself, that would also be taken down.
You can share the link in Flora of Iowa or in Iowa Wildflower Enthusiasts. It's not against the rules there.
I had been sharing Bleeding Heartland's wildflower posts in the Iowa Wildflower Report group for years. But suddenly in the spring of 2020 the admins decided that was a violation of their rule against "political" content. They also accused me of "soliciting" by occasionally asking people if they had any photos of a certain flower they'd allow me to publish with attribution to them.
It's a long story but the admins banned me from the Iowa Wildflower Report Facebook group in the spring of 2020. That's why I started the Iowa Wildflower Enthusiasts Facebook group instead.
I've wondered what the differences were between the several Iowa flower groups. Thanks for the elucidation.
Oh I laughed out loud at your last comment. Wonderful photos. Thank you again.
Glad you enjoyed that. Thanks for letting me know!
Thanks! I have a sweet spot in Northeast Georgia. I've been working on it for four years. Where is your garden?
I'll bet your garden is lovely. I live in a rural area of Southeast Iowa.
I grew up in the Midwest and often drove through Iowa with my parents. The South is different.
.......feelin' a poem a 'comin' ... hummin'? Annd considering stoppin' by
the Garden Shoppe for some seeds. You are just too powerful, Diane!
;<))
Thanks Susan. I hope you get seeds of wildflowers that are native to where your garden lives. So's the flowers will support your caterpillars and thus your baby birds.
Oh truly, I will continue to plant California Poppies and other native wildflowers! These central California hillsides, ten miles inland from the Monterey Bay, are so wonderful...Coast Live Oaks, Redwoods, Doug Firs, Madrone...and all sorts of undergrowth and wildlife! A privilege to live here, to sow seeds, plant native plants...try to keep it all natural and working in sync with Mom-Nature! Your Gaia Posts help! Oh, to live with Mom and thrive as She and Her Creation does, if we let it do its thing, aiding where we can!!
Beautiful! As a trained botanist I really appreciate the way you take us right into the details of the flower
Ah, lovely. Thank you. I admire you for being a trained botanist. I don't know why I couldn't have discovered this interest when I was of school age, when I could have studied it. It must be such a luxury to sit in a lecture and listen to someone who really understands the intricacies explain them!
I did very much enjoy the lectures in my Botany course and it set me up with an interest for life and has helped in a few of my jobs too. On the other hand, it's good to discover a new interest later in life, as you've done with botany.
Thank you, Diane! I have three or four varieties of Liatris in my garden, but did not know much about them. Now I need to get out my magnifiers and look at the florets. I’ve stopped putting out hummingbird feeders and increase nectar sources each year. Between Buckeyes, Pestemon, Ruellia, and Liatris, I seem to have it covered. You’ve given me quite an education here.
Cathy, it sounds like you have a naturalist's paradise of a garden. Best of success with your wise and meaningful efforts to support birds and other wildlife.
We call them Gay Feather in MT. They grow along the highway that leads to Willington Lane.
Lots of people call them Gay Feather here, too. There's little agreement on common names, and yet the scientific names (e.g. Liatris pycnostachya) put up such formidable barriers!
Wow - such detail. Thanks, Diane!
Glad you liked it. Now if I can just find out how the Prairie Blazing Star manages to get pollinated by another flower's pollen and not its own...
Our gayfeather blooms wild here in August so we're a still few weeks away. Thanks for the lovely, lovely hummingbird's-eye view of the blossoms. I've admired these for 35 years and never got such a close look at it!
I hadn't thought about the fact that hummingbirds must see all these details and more as part of breakfast. Thanks Susan!
Thanks for sharing such evocative observations. Your pictures are gorgeous! I love the way you zoom in on the flower's intricate beauty step-by-step.
Bree, I'm glad you enjoyed diving into the minute structure of the plant. Thanks for commenting.
Fascinating description of a plant we probably shouldn't grow here in California. Loved you final comment about hummingbirds. Sandy Martensen
You are so lucky to have lots of species of hummingbirds! After 42 years living in Iowa, hummers are something I certainly miss from my time growing up in So Cal.
Wonderful! I would love to republish this with your permission.
You definitely have my permission. Thanks, Laura!
That's perfect. I will run this tomorrow.
Wow! Great post. Thanks.
Much appreciated Robert. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Good to know. Spotted them last night on the Ffd trail😊
Glad you've found some. Thanks for commenting.
P.S. (What is Ffd trail? )
Once you know what they are, you can't miss them!
Thanks for the detailed photos!
I appreciate your comment. It is fun to look at tiny flowers through a microscope.