Nemo and I took a stroll through the back yard this morning–a short stroll. The humidity is so thick, it felt like a moist blanket pressing in. However, the Rose of Sharon loves it and opens pretty, pink blossoms. The hosta and fern beside the back fence don’t mind at all, as long as they are in the shade, which they are.
The front yard has more going for it with flowers and herbs. Last year, I planted some heirloom seeds Shiloh Museum was giving away. These are beneficial weed seeds, the kind that bees and butterflies like. I didn’t notice that they came up last year but this year, two lovely ones are brightening the front garden–one is the black-eyed Susan. It looks like a big, beautiful bouquet of sunshine. The other is the Joe Pye weed. It was a mystery plant for a while, but pictures have identified it. I’m so glad to have it. It has a straight up and down stem, over six feet tall. It has leaves but no limbs. And, it now has tiny bloom buds. I can’t wait until they bloom. The Joe Pye weed has a really interesting history.
This plant was named for Joe Pye, a native herbalist. It is said to have curative properties. I don’t plan to try any of those but I sure hope the butterflies and bees find it beneficial. I enjoy learning about native plants and their benefit to mankind and nature. It is a perennial so hopefully, it’ll have mature seeds and Joe Pye will be around next year and the year after.
Joe Pye (This is not my picture, it is borrowed; but you can see how it looks when it blooms.)
God bless you! A beautiful way to give back to Mother Nature.
Thanks, Kimberly. I believe God put the plants and herbs on this earth for mankind and somewhere along the way, we’ve lost the art of using them.
I had a Rose of Sharon which bloomed three months after I got it and lasted many years. Then one year it decided to die on me.
I wish you could have one of my Rose of Sharon sprouts. They come up on their own.