Purple Coneflower
This iconic prairie plant has colors so bold that it’s hard to believe it’s a wildflower. It’s just started to bloom and already I’m seeing butterflies feeding on it. At … Continued
Prickly Pear Cactus
People are often surprised to learn that this cactus is a native to most of North America, including parts of Canada. I found some blooming this weekend on a glade … Continued
Wild Raspberries
We picked and ate Black Raspberries on our walk yesterday. Delicious! They are my favorite native fruit. In contrast to blackberries, raspberry thorns are no big deal. You can find … Continued
Indigo Prairie
Summer’s almost here and the prairie grasses are starting to grow. They won’t reach full height for a couple of months.
Pipevine Swallowtail
The orange flower here is a milkweed called butterfly weed. Its brilliant orange flowers attract many kinds of butterflies, including this swallowtail. At the Prairie Garden Trust (PGT) they are … Continued
Prairie Rose
The wild prairie roses are coming into full bloom now. These native roses have large pink blossoms that are very fragrant. If left undisturbed they can grow into good size … Continued
Purple Poppy Mallow
I’ve found some of these native wildflowers blooming on the south side of the PGT Visitor Center this week. With their saturated purple color and large flowers, they are stunning. … Continued
Queen Anne’s Lace
Many love this wildflower for its large white flowers; others hate it as an invasive exotic. I’ve got mixed feelings. I know it’s not native here, but we haven’t found … Continued
Tiger Swallowtail
With more plants flowering I’m seeing more butterflies. This is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail feeding on Pickerelweed. Pickerel weed is one of my favorite wildflowers for the water’s edge. They … Continued