Great Blue Lobelia

Great Blue Lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica Brilliant drops of blue sky with wispy white clouds. All atop a native perennial, sky at my fingertips. The best billboards for pollinator passersby.

Heal from Nature Blindness

Suffering from plant blindness? Cure it with curiosity, plant ID guides, and walks in nature.

Threshold of Consequence

Originally posted on stewardsofearth:
To some, it seems incomprehensible that 7 billion people can have lasting influence on our planet, inducing harmful changes to our environment.  Climate change cannot exist, say some folks.   Humans have an impact on the environment.  I think most would agree.  But the argument that extends from this concept is…

Muir’s Biblical Reason for Praising Plants

Originally posted on stewardsofearth:
On his 1,000 mile walk from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico, not long after the Civil War ended, John Muir encountered a man who questioned his motive to study plants, or ‘botanize’ as he often put it. The man said, “You look like a strong-minded man, and surely you are…

Nature and Beauty are Bread for the Soul

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” – John Muir Photo taken a few days ago in Castlewood State Park in Ballwin, Missouri.  Get out and enjoy Autumn before the wind and cold sweep away all the

Creeping into Autumn

I took this picture a couple weeks ago as the local Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) population began changing into its vibrant red garb.  Thank you, Nature!!! Virginia Creeper often gets mistaken for Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), but is 5-leaved, whereas the Poison Ivy is 3-leaved.  Both are native to this area, but I’d highly recommend

Up with Green Roofs! It is time, St. Louis.

I had the pleasure of attending a Green Roof Design and Installation workshop last week in Nashville, Tennessee.  This course is for those interested in the green roof industry and Green Roof Professional accreditation.  It was a real treat to have Steven Peck, Founder and President of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, as our instructor. 

Bring back Wildflowers, Bring back Monarchs!

Orange, Black, White. In flight. Delicate beauty. Glorious sight. Please don’t disappear! Picky young eater. So no Milkweed, no Monarchs! Grow native, save lives. Learn more: The St. Louis Butterfly Project: Milkweeds for Monarchs Initiative. Bring Back the Monarchs via MonarchWatch Grow Native with Native Plants and Natural Landscaping!

Seek Nature, Receive More

“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”  ~John Muir Step away from the city-scape, seek the amazing craftsmanship of God.  The natural sights far surpass the city blight.  Took this photo last autumn at an outlook in Pere Marquette State Park in Illinois.

Muir Never Saw a Discontented Tree

“I never saw a discontented tree.  They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do.”  ~John Muir Took this photo last fall at Pere Marquette State Park, near Grafton, IL.  What a wonderful evening trek it was.