Pink Evening Primrose – Oenothera speciosa
Malvaviscus arboreus var Drummondi – Turk’s Cap
Ageratina havanensis, also known as Eupatorium havanense, usually blooms in October and November, but this year it is blooming in May. Most plants don’t have two scientific names, but the one common thing about this small perennial is that it has several common names: Shrubby Boneset, White Mistflower, Thoroughwort, and Havana Snakeroot to name most of them. In other locations I’ve observed it in October or November, it has been covered with a variety of butterflies, but not so in my yard at this time of year. One wonders why…
Coreopsis
This could be either Coreopsis basalis or Coreopsis tinctoria. They’re both called Coreopsis and Goldenwave as a common name, and from looking at the photos and the description at the Wildflower Center’s database, there doesn’t seem to be much to tell them apart visually, if anything. This specimen is from my front yard, next to the Indian Blanket and Autumn Sage around the birdbath. Since it apparently likes moist soil, it is not surprising that this is the first year I’ve seen it in the front yard. A couple of years ago I spread some wildflower mixture seeds out in the back yard, and some Plains Coreopsis did come up, so perhaps this is a relic of that, reseeded by birds. At any rate, it is surely a Coreopsis. Maybe next year we’ll get some more.
Argemone polyanthemos – White Prickly Poppy
This lovely flower sports sharp prickles, hence the name. More showy than the Bull Nettle, it blossoms a little earlier, too. This particular specimen was taken near Champion Park on the Brushy Creek Regional Trail, where the Native Plant Society of Texas Williamson County chapter will be hosting a field trip on May 19th.
Wedelia texana – Zexmenia
Here we have a Zexmenia with an insect friend of some sort. This has actually been in bloom for a while, although it normally doesn’t bloom until May. Another sign of warming in the neighborhood. Fortunately today has been overcast and cool, with plenty of much needed rain. This small shrubby forb forms a small mound in the partial shade that it prefers. It also likes well drained soil. It hasn’t gotten any supplemental watering and seems to like that just fine. A member of the Aster family, it has the familiar star shape of the radial flower.
Lygodesmia texana – skeleton-plant
Danaus plexippus - Monarch on Gregg Mistflower
Gulf Fritillary on Gregg Mistflower
Stachys coccinea - Texas Betony
Also known as Scarlet Hedge-Nettle, I got this at the Wildflower Center plant sale a couple of weeks ago and just planted it in my yard last week. According to their information, this is probably a little too far east to be in its normal range. It has a long blooming period, from March through October, and is a perennial, so if it can make it through the summer it should be back next year. This Betony also attracts hummingbirds, although they seem to be few and rarely seen around here. On the plus side, they won’t be attracting any deer.
bob's brain: living well with a movement disorder and other comorbidities 