Eutrochium maculatum, or Joe Pye Weed, absolutely buzzing with pollinators. A monarch and all sorts of bees. This native perennial is an absolute powerhouse. The pollinators love it and once established these plants can grow into impressively tall and imposing focal points in the garden.
Working on sowing more native plants. I have so many seeds I've collected in the fridge; I feel a bit overwhelmed but I'm trying to get one species planted a week. Two weeks ago I planted Rose Mallow Hibiscus and got a high germination rate. In the past I have not. What made a difference was I moist stratified them instead of just sticking the pack of seeds in the fridge. Then last week I sowed some Joe Pye Weed. A few are just starting to come up. Then tonight I scarified Eastern Redbud seeds by boiling them for a minute, and now they're soaking overnight. I'll plant them tomorrow.
I walked the dogs out to the far pasture the other day, because there are (apparently) many things that must be sniffed out there. It is always pretty, but this time of year it just gets better and better (especially since we've have unusually abundant rain the last month). There is a wet area between the field and the creek that we fenced off to keep hooves out of the swampy areas. It is shoulder-high in wildflowers.
Where the flowers are thickest, the butterflies are practically elbowing each other out of the way. There are always two or three male swallowtails having some kind of territorial contest, flittering in complicated patterns. Probably showing off for the ladies! I also had a photography assistant:
Baxter wants to "help" me; Chance wants to herd cats. That has never worked for him, but he will not give up.
The upper part of the pasture is covered in Queen Anne's lace and knapweed (plus numerous other, smaller flowers). And so many bees. It looks for all the world like an impressionist painting, doesn't it?
n423_w1150 by Biodiversity Heritage Library
Via Flickr:
Flore médicale des Antilles, ou, Traité des plantes usuelles :. Paris :Pichard,1821-1829.. biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2956624