Changing Seasons

Fall is well on the way here and I am so happy to see my wildlife garden is doing what I wanted it to do. For several years I have tried to get Ironweed to grow and bloom here. This year it finally became the plant I have so often admired over the years.

Today September 8 2013 I went outside to look at the wildflower I gathered from the mountains in Shenandoah about three years back. Last year I had a plant and it bloomed and set seed. This year it has spread more than the pokeweed I so detest. The butterflies and bees love it and so do I. The name is verbesina alternifolia or wingstem.

You can see how very tall it grew when you look at the second picture that has the roof of the house in the background. Look at my fig tree! I am going to need a ladder to gather any figs. In the background behind the fig is Daddy’s “tie a yellow ribbon” oak tree. Boy oh boy did it ever get big!

The last three pictures are the garden around back. I finally have a white and red Rose of Sharon in bloom once again. I also saw the aster in bloom behind the Mountain mint. That made me happy. I know it’s a mess, but I am really pleased at this bed even though it needs to be weeded. It won’t be long before it begins to die back, but for now, my wild garden is a delight to me. I don’t like the rabbit or deer eating my favorites, but I am resolved to share some. I don’t seem to have much choice if I want this to be a wildlife sanctuary.