Recovery

Mollie (the wonder dog) and I were gallivanting around the local Winfield industrial park recently looking for treasure. I like to take Mollie out to where my workplace headquarters are in order for both of us to get exercise. Mollie a red border collie needs to have as much running and herding as she can get to stay happy, and I also like to search for native plant treasure. As you can see from the image below the difference between the mowed acreage to the right and the non-mowed to the left. The left being a vacant lot with piles of excavated soil from a water retention pond created in the background of the image. The owner has a manufacturing plant to the left of this lot. This year the company has decided not to mow this area except near the access road. I'm positive this is done not to let the prairie revive but to save money.

Therefore, by allowing the vegetation to grow the prairie has grown back to it's former glory. This  image is taken in the other direction. Notice the manicured turf in the background with Pinus nigra and Quercus rubra trees near the access road. Now this is what border collies love! Mollie's barking:where's the sheep? All you give me to chase are squirrels!

What a beautiful scene. Prairie recovery at it's best with limited resources. Sure there are a few non natives and noxious weeds, but overall it's pure. Alchillea millefolium-western yarrow, Koeleria macrantha-June grass, Vicia villosa-hairy vetch, Psoralidium tenuiflorum-wild alfalfa, Amorpha canescens-Leadplant, Mimosa quadrivalvis - catclaw sensitive briar, Dalea purpurea- purple prairie clover  and various other grasses, milkweeds, too numerous for me to ID.

 

I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder, however I don't understand why more people don't do this. Common yarrow and trifoliate clover.

Amorpha canescens

 Mimosa quadrivalvis-Catclaw Sensitive Briar, when you touch the leaves they shrink.

Koelera macrantha-June grass, Mimosa quadrivalvis-Catclaw sensitive plant, and Downy brome.

Delphinium carolinianum-Prairie Larkspur

Ahh, time to find treasure in this pile of debris.

What ya got in the truck Mr. Nelson, my wife asked when I returned?

Why treasure of course, mate! 

I'm happy to say everything has survived except the Snow on the Moutain(which I'm sure is too aggressive anyways).

GBBD May in 12

Since I'm having a hard time completing my winter projects and starting (and completing) my spring projects, this will be mainly be a photo-graphical post with few if any labels. If you have a ID question, please leave me a question comment. Happy Garden Bloggers Bloom Day!

Above looking Northeast from front of house. Front/corner Hell Strip.

 

Above: Looking West from east side of House to...

 Looking Northwest. To....

 Looking North. To...

East Hell strip bottom of photo and Corner Hell strip, top of photo.

Three Photos above: Corner Hell Strip-Just Grand!

Looking back.

Where would we be on GBBD without a coneflower.

Or a little blue to cool those oranges.

 Knipofia and Achillea 'Coronation Gold'.

As always to view other peoples blooms from around the world go t to see Carol @May Dream Gardens.

 

The Garden Has the Flop's

Achillea 'Coronation Gold'

Yes that's right. Some of my plants in the garden have the flop's. No it isn't a new disease or varietal weakness (that I know of). Some experts would say the plants are mature and need divided. However, these plants were only planted in the last two years. It is possible the plants have excess growth from over fertilization from compost. However, that has never been a problem before. Maybe it's global warming. I should contact Al Gore, he seems to be an expert on these things.

 Nepeta 'Walkers Low'

Salvia nemorosa 'Coradonna'

I'm scratching my head trying to figure this one out and what my solution is to allow these plants to reach their full potential this summer. My current conclusion is it's varietal weakness and too much nitrogen,  then followed with early warm weather in late march and cooler temps in April. On the Coronation Gold yarrows I'm going to deadhead after bloom on one of three plants and compare. I would hate to loose the spent blooms during the winter.

And alas: my first monarch visit, a male.

Wordless Wednesday

Dancing in the Moonlight

Chillin' GBBD

As I wander through the gardens (or is it wonder) to find a bloom for this January's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day post my mind starts wondering (or is it wandering?).  Earth to Greg. It must me wandering. Winter has returned to more normalcy this past couple of weeks here in the Flint Hills of Kansas. I think the only difference this year is the lack of the wet stuff, mainly snow. I have enjoyed a few days to work on my new garden room project this winter. However, with my advancing age my stamina suddenly deteriorates at a rapid rate when the temperature drops below 40 degrees. So I haven't progressed as much as needed. Maybe some of you can understand that. And as always this "time" of the month involves sharing with gardeners from around the world your garden blooms (or your spent blooms as I have). Go and visit Carol at May Dream Gardens to link up and view other peoples gardens. Thanks Carol.

Johnny' Jumpin. My only true bloom in the garden. These plants actually made the cover of the local paper, the front page no less. Why you say. The news was that many people were commenting throughout the community that plants were "budding" and growing because of all the warmer temperatures.

Where would winter interest be without a little yarrow for tomorrow. Weak huh? I told you I was wondering or wandering?

Or is your little blue's riddle due?

Or is golden more holding to your needs?

 Or is silver more your style?

Somethings eating those Echinacea seeds.

Foreground lightning on Viburnum 'Blue Muffin'

Background lighting on same plant.

Echinancea seed head with Artemesia foliage.

And Spring is closer than you think......

 

Cool and Crisp - Winter Version

As I was leaving to visit relatives on Christmas Eve morning, I couldn't resist snapping a few cool temperature photos.

Miscanthus and Rudebeckia fulgida 'Goldstrum'

Panicum Dewey Blue background, Schizachyrium scoparium-Little Bluestem and Achillea 'Coronation Gold'.

Same combination as previous photo with morning light

Achillea Terra Cotta.

Panicum 'Dewey Blue' switchgrass

Solidago and Achillea

Sedum 'dragons blood'

Happy Holidays to all!- Greggo

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder-GBBD 11/11

Asclepias tuberosa-Butterly Weed

As preparations for the Garden Bloggers Bloom Day post for November began, I began to reflect about the past year. These reflections had been influenced recently by my loss of internet technology, and how I've responded to this drought. Or more importantly how do we as bloggers make this blogging world take precedent over our daily lifestyle. I suppose everyone has their own answer to that question.

 Schizachyrium scoparium-Little Bluestem with Salvia 'Mystic Spires

Initially my thoughts were focused on comparisons of a year ago, and how this blogosphere has influenced my everyday life since then. When my shoulder was injured in January along with the subsequent surgery, all my time was spent indoors or at physical therapy. Blogging became a real passion for me. Enjoyment was spending days reading, blogging, and pickin' on blotanical. (Does that mean I get a star now,since I mentioned it on my blog?).

Salvia fairnacea, Artemesia 'Powis Castle', and Schizachyrium scoparium-Little Bluestem

Along the way I met many garden blogging "friends" which are very encouraging and provide great fellowship. It's been great. My artistic side has resurfaced, knowledge gleaned, and have had a renewed interest in photography. Thank you all!

 Last of the Gallardia.

However, after getting over the withdrawals after a week, (my video memory in my laptop was gone, my warranty was up along with my soul after dealing with Tech Support in India), I became "used" to being in the "real" world. More time spent outside, more time with family, and of course more time with my wife. She mentioned a few times she thought I was spending too much time online, and she was probably correct. It's kind of like food. Food is alright but too much of it can cause problems. Anyway, the biggest time constraint occurred when I went back to work in August. Seven months not working, what an adjustment. So, it's good to "see" all of you again! In conclusion the loss of technology has brought perspective for this blogger, gardener, husband, dad, follower of Christ and last but not least "grandpa". And I'm pleased to be back in a more limited role. Greg.

Salvia leucanthus-Mexican Bush Sage, Miscanthus 'Dixieland', and Salvia guaranitica 'black and blue' before the great freeze two weeks ago. Mex.Bush is smoked bush now.

Taken yesterday "Grandpa Fred" - Red Admiral. Last of the butterflies. Noticed a Monarch flying three days ago. Didn't quite understand that one.

Volunteer Alyssum "Golf" seedlings

Panicum "Heavy Metal"

Kalamagrostis "Karl", Achillea. and Annual Salvia.

Achillea, Artemisia "powis"

Mums

Basil seeds

Salvia fairnacea and Panicum Dewey Blue
I have linked to Carol(May Dreams Gardens) @ GBBD, Donna(Garden Walk, Garden Talk) W4W which is texture and Foliage Follow up with Pam @ Digging