Along the Crest, Crested Iris

Enjoyed another fantastic day at Shaw Nature Reserve.  Following my volunteering stint, I hiked through the dry glades and woodlands near the Meramec River, evaluating the Spring’s continuing transition in color.  Among the most vibrant and prolific today was Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata).  Just another native to consider in your garden!

A Caterpillar With Passion

This is a caterpillar, perhaps a Fritillary or the Passion Butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) atop a Passion Flower Vine (Passiflora incarnata).  Passion Flower is native to Missouri and a rather aggressive vine.  If you choose to landscape with this, you will enjoy its gorgeous flowers and its attractiveness to butterflies, but beware its rapid growth habit!

Hey Mac, Sumac

Just enjoying our rapidly developing autumn here in Missouri.  I’m fairly certain that this is Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum), one of four sumac species found in Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.  Not all sumac is Poison Sumac.  But most sumac looks vibrant in the fall.  Grow Native! Winged Sumac information from the

Autumn’s Paint Brush

I enjoyed the peace and solitude of walking in nature this weekend.  This was taken at Wildcat Glades Conservation Center near Joplin, MO

Saving Rain for a Dry Day

We save everything else for a rainy day.  Why shouldn’t we save the rain for a droughty day? In the midst of this substantial summer drought, only those with irrigation and adequate water supply (as well as those lucky enough to receive a convective storm or two) seem to have green lawns, lush gardens, and

Dear Wisconsin

Dear Wisconsin, I like your state!  I came up to hang out with a friend around Milwaukee. We got to see Lake Michigan for the first time, check out the Third Ward, tour the Lakefront Brewery, visit the Milwaukee Domes, and walk through neighborhoods with lots of native landscaping.  We also got to visit Madison,