No, not that kind of weed. It was just a regular old pasture pest, common burdock. But here’s the thing: it was attracting an impressive assortment of photogenic insects. A few days ago I noticed the lower leaves getting crispy, so last night, with the bluish glow of a television flickering in her window, I […] Read more
I often get helplessly enthralled with things that are new to me. My current obsession is figwort. Ever since I was introduced to this curious bee plant back in June, I’ve been fixated on it. Right now, I’d love to plant my entire property in figwort. It all started when I was invited by Nancy […] Read more
Madia elegans, also known as common madia or tarweed, is not your typical pollinator plant. In early morning light, the bright yellow flowers look like typical daisy-style composites. But during a hot summer afternoon, it is so nondescript as to go unnoticed, taking it’s skinny place among other quiet dryland species in the western United […] Read more
Trying to find plants that bloom in summer and fall can be a challenge. Not only do the honey bees have trouble finding forage, but even the native bees can come up short during the summer dearth. This is especially true in areas where native plants have largely been replaced with exotic species. Last fall, […] Read more
When I was a kid, the kitchen windows were decorated with colorful curtains printed with flowers and the word “cosmos.” The word was upside down and right side up and sideways. Not only did I think that was stupid, but I didn’t know what “cosmos” meant (I thought it had something to do with the […] Read more
I love this photo sent in by Aram Frangulyan of Auburn, WA. The flower is so bright and cheerful, it makes me happy about fall. Aram writes: Snapped a bumble bee on a dahlia at the Point Defiance rose garden on September 7th. Did not think that dahlias were all that interesting to the pollinators, but apparently some […] Read more
I love the idea of seed bombs. The first time I heard about them I wanted to go out and toss them everywhere, but at the same time, I knew they wouldn’t work. Actually, they will work in places where you don’t need them, but will almost never work in places you do. More often […] Read more