Growing into Gothic. Now that the calendar has turned a page and there’s a slight nip in the air, it’s a nice surprise to come across a tall bushy green mound with bright summer-yellow buds. Kirengeshoma palata, or yellow wax bells, is one of the very few woodland perennials that flowers late in the summer. Waiting until mid-August or September to open, the buds open into long bell-shaped blooms which hang, nodding gracefully, at the end of arching leaf stems. The waxy fl

More than just a weed. In some references this pretty little plant with the heart-shaped petals is called a common weed! It thrives in neglected, dry and compacted soils, like at the edges of roadways and paths. I found it flourishing all along the mountain bike path through the woods. Pale yellow flowers with darker yellow splotches near the center and a starburst of pistils in the middle perch atop long stems fuzzy with perpendicular hairs — this sulphur cinquefoil is jus

Prairie Dock (silphium terebinthinaceum) Today I was wowed by this tall, skinny plant with blonde topknots standing head and shoulders...

A spicy prelude to summer. This time of year, while waiting for the grandiose colors of summer to emerge, a more modest display gains...

Small sunflower with a big heart. In these days when hugs are rare, how wonderful to see this fine little sunflower throwing all of her...

Bird’s-foot Trefoil stands her ground. After the dandelions are gone, the next yellow that appears along the trail are these carefree...