When I catch sight of the apple tree in a certain light, I fancy that it is waving hello.
Another tree fell in a winter storm, cutting it in half, however the remaining growth seems healthy enough and it offers a perch to birds and small furry creatures. It may even produce an apple this year. They are not palatable to us, but deer love them.
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My property is almost completely wild now and I like to walk down to the bottom field periodically to see what is growing. I would go more often if not for the insects that chew on me and bring me up in large itchy bumps. I am fearful of ticks too, but Grant creates a path to keep me safe from those.
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No two years are ever quite the same and occasionally something new pops up. This year it was the above which the app on my phone tells me is Spreading dogbane.
Very likely it’s been there all along and I’ve just not noticed it before. The flowers are very tiny.
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The differences I notice mostly are in the abundance of certain plants and flowers which some years appear to thrive. Fleabane is doing well now. A pretty, cheerful flower, but also very tiny.
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Bird’s foot trefoil returns every year and this year it too is abundant.
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Another very plentiful yellow wildflower Lady’s bedstraw. This one bent over by heavy rain.
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Wormseed wallflower was nicely refreshed by that rain too.
Who makes up these names?
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Mullein is not the most elegant or lovely of plants, but it is very hardy and has medicinal uses.
It’s thick leaves make interesting close-ups.
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Stiff dogwood is very pretty when in bloom.
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Until I looked closely, I believed this was the same flower, but my app insisted this was Arrowwood.
Definitely different.
Equally pretty.
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Flax appeals to me for its simplicity and colour.
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Blueweed or Viper’s-bugloss.
Also my favourite colour, but certainly not simple.
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Any of these may be found in my wild meadow.
I like it.
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And so do they…
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Hehe 😁, I’ve also often wondered who comes up with all the names for flowers and plants. Is it scientific or just someone with a very good imagination? The colour purple is a such a beautiful colour in nature – you’re lucky that your property produces such a wide variety of beauties!
Wow!
Thank you, Carolyn, for the wild meadow post with many plants. You seem to know their names, and indeed, the blue ones are very beautiful and are much appreciated by the butterflies. Grant is a gem of a friend to make a special pathway for you! I have lots of apples, but no deer anywhere, only many birds and neighbours.
Joanna
I do love your wild areas, so much more interesting than the meticulously cultivated gardens and grounds that most people have in Britain.
Best wishes, Pete.