Rewilding My Lot

Nature often surprises me in the most delightful of ways. I have recently discovered three examples of plants growing from seeds that I spread last fall, and which I was no longer expecting this year because I hadn’t seen them until now.

Spotted Beebalm in the front native flower meadow

In the center of the front lawn I spread three kinds of seed that I hoped would provide a linear progression of flowers through the spring and summer: Bluebonnets first, then Firewheels aka Indian Blanket, then Spotted Beebalm aka Spotted Horsemint (Monarda punctata).

Nature, of course, had other ideas. I had Bluebonnets and Firewheels early at the same time, but then no Spotted Beebalm at all (even though they volunteered elsewhere in the garden). Finally, weeks later, I see them!

Mealy Blue Sage in the “short seed” area of the back yard

In one area of the back yard I seeded Firewheel, White Prairie Clover, and Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea). Of those, the only ones I saw were Firewheels, which put on a spectacular display. However, weeks later, several Mealy Blue Sage plants have appeared. I recognized them first by the smell of their leaves.

Leavenworth’s Eryngo in the “tall seed” area of the back yard

I picked up a few Leavenworth’s Eryngo (Eryngium leavenworthii) seeds at a Native Plant Society of Texas meeting last year and scattered them without knowing how they’d do. I have now found two plants, and one is flowering. When these are in full color they are spectacular, and so I will have to post again when that happens. Another name for this is False Purple Thistle, and one can see why. They are not true thistles and they are indeed purple. Here’s a progression of how the purple has been developing so far, and there is more to come!