Just when I thought all the pretty blooms had passed away, yesterday, I spied the purple Ironweed. Bouquets of these purple flowers are as beautiful as any at a florist’s shop. A single plant can bear hundreds of flowers up to 6 inches wide.
Plus, these beautiful blossoms attract hosts of butterflies and is also a great source of pollen and nectar for a bevy bees. In 2007 our Postal service acknowledged the value of the ironweed to native pollinators, issuing a block of four stamps depicting four pollinators and wildflowers. One of the stamps featured a southern dogface butterfly nectaring on prairie ironweed. Ironweed’s name comes from the strength of its sturdy stems. Isn’t it lovely?
1 comment:
Yes, it certainly is lovely!
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