Monday, September 24, 2007

Leaves are falling all around...

Maybe not in North Central Texas, but it is officially autumn. On our walk yesterday Folsom and I found Purple Prairie Verbena (the native one) blooming abundantly along the perimeter of a construction site. It is growing naturally in a very dry, rocky area, without irrigation and in full sun. Tough as nails, this is my kind of plant.

We also spotted the luminescent deep purple hues of Eryngo (Eryngium). Usually its subtle fragrance is intoxicating, but two extreme and opposing summers in a row might have taken their toll on this native annual. The stands of Indian Blanket (Gaillardia) along the same site must have been sacrificed for the new park; not even the rosettes survived. Surely the disturbed seeds will germinate and bring back the smiling maroon-and-yellow flowers next year. One can only hope...

Our website is undergoing multiple changes in honor of the new season. Our goal is to streamline information -- especially details about our services and fees -- and to delight you with more lovely photographs. We are toying with some interactive features, so please do stay tuned. NativeDave.com should become your one-stop 'site for information related to native plants and sustainable landscape.

Thanks for all your support along the way...our journey brings us to such interesting people and places.

3 comments:

ASC said...

Speaking of native plants growing in the wild - Ben spent the weekend in "the country" in Mississippi on his grandparents land -- they have wild beautyberries everywhere....amazing!

About NATIVEDAVE.COM! said...

Fun! I love it when someone makes the connection between the plant as it appears in the nursery with its appearance in nature and, further, in a landscape setting. As the beautyberry matures, and is allowed to grow into its natural size and shape, it will begin to fill some of the space along your fence. How do yours look this year?

ASC said...

The beautyberries are HUGE this year and full of purple berries. I LOVE that plant! :-)