I wish there hadn't been so much progress in the US and that there had been less cultivation of the natural landscape. I guess back in the day no one was thinking of preserving nature for future generations.
a story of resilience and beauty... holding the community remnant together just being what it is, where it is. thank you for your beautiful soul felt reflections
Thank you for the wonderful historical review and information about the smooth blue aster. Sounds like another aster to add to my planted prairie patches. I'm not sure if I have it in my small older patch?
It is my favorite of all the asters. It didn't make many viable-looking seeds in my garden this year, but I hope what I was able to collect will generate a few new plants to share.
Not the same variety, but I had seed from a native Oregon Aster stowaway in a plant I brought on my move from Oregon to Massachusetts 6 years ago! It came up in my new yard our first spring and has ever since! Reminds me of my old home each year.
What a lovely plant. And all the more so with your telling. I'm going to get Gloria to put some of this in her garden so she may be talking to you about seeds.
Thank you for your evocative story. Our farm, on the western edge of the Loess Hills in Monona County, is one of those steep places where prairie survived. The hills were and are full of native plants and flowers. The gully has huge old cottonwoods, and the bottomland has wetland plants. I only wish I had known more about those plants when I was growing up and going over the hill after the cow every afternoon all spring and summer. It is now protected as the RT Reese Homestead Nature Preserve, and I go back to re-ground myself (pun intended) when I can.
I love these asters, so richly colored. I have a similar aster, New York aster, in my garden, and I'm in the process of "wintersowing" more seeds so I can have even more!
I wish there hadn't been so much progress in the US and that there had been less cultivation of the natural landscape. I guess back in the day no one was thinking of preserving nature for future generations.
Your photographs are beautiful.
How lovely. Your words and photos surround me with your love and awe and protectiveness for them. Well portrayed dear friend.
Thank you Helen.
Beautiful. Delicate and tough at the same time. I'm so glad they survived.
Lovely and loving!
a story of resilience and beauty... holding the community remnant together just being what it is, where it is. thank you for your beautiful soul felt reflections
Love those beautiful and persistent wildflowers!
Wonderful story and marvelous photos, thanks so much for sharing
Thank you Lewis for commenting!
Only a heart as large as yours...in~the~sharing~of~your~joy~with~us...could see what you see,
dear Diane, Deep Appreciator of Mom Nature's Joyous Creations! It makes my heart feel happy
and warm, knowing there are beings who so totally respond to the beyond-words-beauty and
wonder of Her creations!! Thank you Diane, once again, for lifting our awareness up a notch or two or ten! Hats off to you!
My what generous praise, Susan! Thank you.
Thank you for the wonderful historical review and information about the smooth blue aster. Sounds like another aster to add to my planted prairie patches. I'm not sure if I have it in my small older patch?
It is my favorite of all the asters. It didn't make many viable-looking seeds in my garden this year, but I hope what I was able to collect will generate a few new plants to share.
Not the same variety, but I had seed from a native Oregon Aster stowaway in a plant I brought on my move from Oregon to Massachusetts 6 years ago! It came up in my new yard our first spring and has ever since! Reminds me of my old home each year.
What a delight
What a lovely plant. And all the more so with your telling. I'm going to get Gloria to put some of this in her garden so she may be talking to you about seeds.
It's a great garden plant. Not aggressive, stays in its lane. And blooms after nearly everything else is done for.
Thank you for your evocative story. Our farm, on the western edge of the Loess Hills in Monona County, is one of those steep places where prairie survived. The hills were and are full of native plants and flowers. The gully has huge old cottonwoods, and the bottomland has wetland plants. I only wish I had known more about those plants when I was growing up and going over the hill after the cow every afternoon all spring and summer. It is now protected as the RT Reese Homestead Nature Preserve, and I go back to re-ground myself (pun intended) when I can.
What a fortunate childhood! I hope to visit the Loess Hills someday.
There is a comfortable cabin on the site that you can rent from MononaCounty Conservation. It was renovated from the house I grew up in.
Wow, that is amazing!
I love these asters, so richly colored. I have a similar aster, New York aster, in my garden, and I'm in the process of "wintersowing" more seeds so I can have even more!
I'm with you, Margaret. I always want more asters. Especially the blue-to-purple ones.