Flower for the Day 9-30 Celosia

This bright red flower which is also called cockscomb has been popular since the

Victorian era. It is an annual and I collect its seeds in the late fall.

Gnome Tipping

Last night we had a gnome tipping event,
a mysterious "who done it."

Flower for the Day 9-25 Goldenrod

Drought conditions have had no effect on the ubiquitous goldenrod (Solidago). In the aster family, this flowering plant has come up everywhere in the sunny rooms of the wild flower garden.

Jan in her Folbot on Lake Aspen

Jan's folbot is over 35 years in service. It was made
in Charleston South Carolina and is vinyl over wood.

The Room 9-17

Rib City  Des Peres,  Missouri

The Room 9-17

Rib City  Des Peres, Missouri

Flower for the Day 9-24 Chrysanthemum

The second half of the year has been brutal on the garden. Heat, drought, deer, and rabbits have been winning over the Flower Guy. These measly mums are all that is left of my perennial Chrysanthemums. They are pretty little flowers but pale in comparison to last year.

But as Chicago Cub fans are used to saying, "Wait 'til next year".

Flower for the Day 9-23 Hoya

Just when  almost nothing is blooming comes the Hoya. It is the Queen

of umbellation and there are now multiple blooms where it summers by the hot tub.

Flower for the Day 9-19 Russian Sage

Perovskia atriplicifolia. There is a large patch of Russian sage by the mail box. I cut it back about twice a year and it explodes back almost immediately. It has upright grayish silver stems and tubular lavender flowers. When crushed the stems and leaves give off a pungent odor much like other sages.

Flower for the Day 8-18 Hosta

One of the reasons for the dearth of flowers this time of the year is that the deer

have gotten more hungry  and thus more daring. This lone flower was what was leftafter the deer feasted on this hosta salad in the front yard.  New and frustrating

wildness.   

Maybe next year .....

Flower for the Day 9-17 Purple Dahlia Series

Bud beginning to open up.

Petals coming open.

All blossoms do not make it.

But when they do flower they are extraordinary.

Bull Elk 8-25

We saw very few elk this summer. This young bull was near the Bierstadt Lake 

Trailhead on our last evening. Photo by Chris Sessions.

Flower for the Day 9-8 Tall Dahlias

When we returned from vacation the dahlias were flourishing.

They are taller than Jan.

We are dedicating these dahlias to Jan's sister Peggy who is 
having surgery today. Keep her in your thoughts.

Flower for the Day 9-5 Ratibida

Among the many flowers that bloom into the 
fall is ratibida or Mexican Hat.

"Who would have thunk it"

Nicodemus Kansas celebrated 150 
years of Emancipation this summer.

Flower for the Day 9-4 Butterfly Bush

Buddleia  The butterfly bushes have thrived 
this year attracting bees, hummers and even 
butterflies.

Flower for the Day 9-3 Ironweed

Ironweed (Vernonia) shows up about a month 
before butterfly weed. It is a perennial known 
for its intense purple flowers.