In late summer, our fields are full of several types of Goldenrod (Solidago sp.), laid out like a huge buffet for pollinators. Goldenrod pollen is high in protein, just what bees need to prepare for the cold season ahead. An armful that had flopped over a path was picked to clear the trail, providing a base for today’s arrangement.
Helianthus annuus ‘Lemon Queen’
‘Lemon Queen’ Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are providing lots of pollen as well; they’re covered with various bee species and once the seeds develop, American Goldfinches drop from the sky to noisily devour them.
Dahlia ‘Outta Da Blue’ has proven to be a strong producer, covered with loads of buds and blooms. Providing a perfect match is Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), which is an invasive species here that I dig up when I find them, particularly along our river. I keep the blooms and when spent, put them in the trash and not the compost.
I like to keep small vases on my kitchen windowsill to enjoy while working there, so here is a little combo that appeals to me.
Feverfew, Nasturtium
A simple combination of Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) and Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) ‘Alaska.’ I particularly like their variegated leaves that look like someone splattered them with white paint.
In A Vase on Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Click the link to see arrangements made by other gardeners around the world.
I’m featuring a simple arrangement in my little Ikebana vase that was a gift from my son and his partner. Representing ‘heaven and earth with man in the middle,’ are Mealycup Sage (Salvia farincea), Cigar Flower (Cuphea ignea ‘Vermillionaire’) and Sunflower (Helianthus annuus).
After a wonderful, relaxing yoga session that focused on our second chakra governing Creativity, I led the group in a mini-floral design class. It was a lot of fun and everyone got to take home their own arrangement.
It seems that my color palette this year is trending towards bright and bold. I do have pink and white out there, but perhaps I’m unconsciously trying to uplift our spirits during this crisis through my flower choices. It works for me!
Seven years ago today, I nervously published my first 
Those who have been following this blog for a few years might remember that my largest garden out back peaks during the first week or so of August. Despite the heat and lack of rain, it is right on time, though I’ve noticed that most plants are shorter than they were last year.
Although my red Beebalm (Monarda didyma) is just about finished, I picked a few remaining late blooms to put into a red bud vase along with Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides) and Queen Ann’s Lace (Daucus carota). A few sprigs of Oregano flowers (Origanum vulgare) and red-tipped foliage of Flowering Quince (
July yields many wonderful composite flowers: Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus), Gloriosa Daisies (Rudbeckia hirta), Calendula (C. officinalis) and Zinnias; all of which have begun to flower in earnest in my garden. Naturally, I chose my sunflower pocket vase to display them.
In addition to the Sunflowers and Gloriosa Daisies, there are cobalt blue Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus), purple Hosta, yellow Patrinia umbels, Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota), Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus), yellow racemes of Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) Poppy seed pods (Papaver somniferum) and Brome grass (Bromus erectus).
While the quality of these photos are not my best due to low light conditions and the camera being handheld, I wanted to share the unusual flowering in our woods of Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata), also known as Pipsissewa or Spotted Wintergreen.
Eliza Waters 