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 recommendContinue reading “Creeping into Autumn”
Tag Archives: grow native
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!
Bluebell Blooms Bring Back Spring
When I see Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), I know that, despite the calendar date, Spring has truly arrived! Delicate new blooms Ephemeral spring beauty Look down. Don’t miss it!
Butterfly along Vertical Prairie
This little guy was hanging out on a green retaining wall planted with Missouri natives.
Desaturated Prairie
Here’s the last photo from my visit to Shaw Nature Reserve last weekend. Another prairie plant I’m unfamiliar with. I suppose that makes it easier for me to mess with the saturation/contrast of the original then… The original. Let me know if you’re familiar with this plant species, genus, or family.
More Prairie, More Fall Color
One more photo from our trail walk at Shaw Nature Reserve on Prairie Day. I almost NEVER edit my photos beyond the occasional crop and resize. The first photo, however, I thought Looked pretty good. Here are both.
Fall Bloomer in the Prairie
This was also in the prairie at Shaw Nature Reserve along with the Gentian (See previous entry). It appears to be Slender False Foxglove (Agalinis tenuifolia), formerly known as Gerardia tenuifolia. It is a beautiful native, late-season annual.
Prairie Gentian
Today was Prairie Day at Shaw Nature Reserve. I learned how to use an atlatl, saw many cool exhibits, ate a bison burger, and took a walk through the prairie with the camera. While the brutal drought is still evident throughout the region, the recent rains seem to be aiding in the fall bloomContinue reading “Prairie Gentian”
The Yard: Golf Course or Natural Resource?
(This post was inspired by my experience in last week’s St. Louis Sustainable Backyard Tour.) It’s a summer Saturday morning. You’ve slept in as late as you possibly could. Light now infiltrates your window blinds and morning sounds prevent any more snoozing. You listen to cicadas, melodic birds, a passing breeze in the trees–and suddenlyContinue reading “The Yard: Golf Course or Natural Resource?”
Shaw Summer
It’s the first day of summer and I volunteered again at Shaw Nature Reserve. It got hot quickly, so I spent the morning doing a couple assigned tasks and then stopped for the day. Anyway, I was near the demonstration rain garden in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden. Forget a cubicle; this should be my office!