When the fronds bow low, I know that the there are loads of spores on the underside.
I will always be amazed by the alternation of generations involving the spore.
They are neatly arranged in dots/sori underneath each frond on the Autumn Fern.
The light colored ones have burst open.
The darker sori are still encased in their clear cover.
When your ferns bow low, look for the amazing spores underneath.
FLOW on the frond
Montbretia ‘Lucifer’ demands attention wherever it grows.
I have it on banks, at corners and along walkways.
The only thing ‘Lucifer’ needs to be fabulous is a little support while blooming.
Its rocket red blooms are on long arching stems in a triangular pattern.
The red and yellow buds are beautiful also.
It grows from little brown corms similar to gladiolas.
Anyone who loves red flowers and hummingbirds should grow some ‘Lucifer’ in the garden.
Flow
P.S. A New Zealand reader shared this link about Lucifer being a pest in some places. I have added it below. Lucifer has been in my gardens for years and has not presented itself as a problem…yet. It is super easy to grow which may mean it is super hard to kill
.https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-weeds/weed-list/montbretia/
This is my color of dreams. I am obsessed.
Call it salmon, coral or peach.
It draws me toward it whether food, flower, clothes or jewels.
This color speaks to my soul.
It catches light and makes it magic.
If you know of a flower this color, send me its name.
FLOW
She is friendly and lovely.
I waited for her to throw the ball, but she was just teasing.
I wonder if that is a Miracle Swimsuit she is wearing? Maybe its on Amazon?
FLOW
The deer came during the night and nibbled the buds off before some daylilies bloomed.
I can tell which types are the tastiest because the entire plant is mostly decapitated stalks.
They do not just eat buds, whole arrays of open flowers are devoured.
CLICK ON EACH PICTURE TO ENLARGE. ( Lavender Rainbow, Peacock Alley, Moonlit Masquerade, Dixie Boy, Strutters Ball, Yabba Dabba Doo, Mabel Nolan, Good Shepherd, Appolodorus, Sebastian, Smoky Mountain Autumn, Purple Pinwheel and Daring Deception as feature)
At least I still have daylily photos to enjoy!
I took down my hanging fence rings for a photo shoot and failed to replace them. I also needed to purchase more green poles. No need now. I have plenty. Hi Ho
I do not mind sharing, but sometimes my wild friends are a bit greedy.
I guess this colorful smorgasbord is irresistible.
FLOW
The most dramatic plant in my gardens in June is the giant Cardoon.
Its purple tufts are finally emerging from the artichoke-like buds.
These buds are bigger than my fist. The plant is taller that I am by at least a foot.
Its other names are Artichoke Thistle and Cynara cardunculus.
Most parts of this plant can be eaten if prepared correctly. I have not tried it.
It thrives on this slope in full sun.
I got this from my friend the Fairy. No wonder it is magical.
Flower
There is more to a poppy than a lovely flower.
The poppy bloom makes a pod full of seeds.
I leave the pods up as long as I can for the Goldfinches.
They come every spring to rip open the pods.
They make happy little squeaks as they eat the tiny black seeds.
Many seeds fall to the ground. I have quit saving and sowing Bill Troutman poppy seeds.
I know that the Goldfinches will do some seeding while feeding.
This is a magical cycle involving birds and seeds.
A circle of red and gold.
Flow
I try to keep my angst and anger off my blog. There is too much of it everywhere.
Sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by wrongs… drowning in wrongs.
This weekend was one of those times. Man against nature. Man against man.
Some wrongs cannot be righted,
but we must try…
Here is an elk by the side of a busy highway eating Kudzu with a fake wreath stuck on an antler.
Count the wrongs if you like.
I will add it was in Cherokee, NC.
We visited the brilliantly designed Museum of the Cherokee Indian.
Go when it is not crowded. Listen to every word, read each placard, study each diorama and photo.
Slowly walk through a history of a beautiful nation and some wrongs that cannot be righted,
but we must try.
Be careful with each decision. Everything matters.
What you say, what you buy, what you eat, what you leave lying around…
FLOW
A garden full of life requires more than good soil and enough water.
It requires an open heart and an open mind.
It must be a welcoming place to wildlife.
Hungry visitors must be gently guided to other plants.
It must be a haven for plants and animals.
It must be full of love, not hate. (even for snakes)
A garden full of life requires quiet, slow movements.
The rhythms must not be disturbed.
Patience and guidance are provided instead of rigid control.
The sounds should be natural by nature, not loud and startling.
A garden full of life is a balanced garden, friendly to flora and fauna.
A garden full of life is a garden full of love.
FLOWER
floweralley 