The first summer we were here I noticed the tiniest of flowers dotted around the garden. From a distance they looked fairly insignificant.
Taking a closer look I could see just how pretty they are.
I have never been able to id this little beauty. It is obviously a member of the helenium family........in fact, similar to 'autumn lollipops.' The big difference is that it flowers all summer long, in sun or shade, wet or dry soil. It does not have the growing habit of 'lollipops', which has a very upright form. If anyone can id this plant, I would be most grateful.
Enchanter's nightshade is an invasive native wildflower. The host plant of the elephant hawkmoth.
This lovely plant flowers all summer long and survives in the deepest shade.
The thing that I love most about it, apart from it's lovely delicate flowers, is that this enchanting plant can light up a shady place on dusky evenings.
I have always loved the little things.......
Hi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteVery nice indeed, I love both of the tiny little blooms and the nightshade definitely gets my vote if it grows and brightens up deep shade!
I'm loving your photos, so magical :)
Lovely pics Cheryl. I don't think I have ever seen the yellow flower but the other one we have here too.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Wonderful :) I too love little wild flowers, scarlet pimpernel and chickweed are two of my favourites. x
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl...I to like the tiny flowers..they sometimes get overlooked!!! It will be interesting to know what your little yellow flower is!!! About what size is it do you think!!
ReplyDeleteLove both the photos, though I don't know what the first one is.
ReplyDeleteThese are just gorgeous Cheryl. I wish I knew what that first one is but I don't. I have a small white flower blooming in my garden that I don't know what it is either. It resembles Queen Anns Lace but it is smaller. Sometimes it is nice to have a mystery in the garden.
ReplyDeleteTku Liz....a compliment from you re photos, is a compliment indeed.
ReplyDeleteWhisperingearth....I love scarlet pimpernel, I have a bit too much of it at the moment.
ReplyDeleteChickweed I use the young leaves in salads.....very nice.
Hi Grammie....I would love to know what the little yellow flower is. As yet I have not seen it anywhere else. The little bloom is about 1/2" across. You are quite right the little things often get overlooked.....but not by me!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Liz....most kind, I am trying...
ReplyDeleteHi Grammie.....small flowers are often overlooked....a great shame. The detail is often exquisite.
The yellow flower is probably around 1/2" across.
Enchanter's nightshade, what a pretty plant and a romantic name. Elephant hawkmoth is one I've never heard of. It sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Sorry about the repeat replies.....blogger is playing up......
ReplyDeleteIt is a very pretty little flower Cheryl but I have no idea what it is and yet I feel I should, I will look through my books later.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you will have Elephant Hawk Moths to show us sometime, they are very attractive!
Such pretty photos Cheryl and so clear :)
Lovely, lovely photographs....
ReplyDeleteI love the magic of these flower, the light is perfect..
Sherry
Hi Jan....yes I saw an elephant hawk moth feeding on the honeysuckle one evening last week.
ReplyDeleteIt is really beautiful and I am so excited. The photographs were dreadful, sadly. I checking my rather large patch of enchanter's nightshade regularly. The caterpillar is particularly beautiful.
Tku for help re mystery plant.....I am grateful.
Dear Sherry....Enchater's nightshade is a most magical plant. At dusk the little flowers glow like tiny fairy lanterns....really magical.
ReplyDeleteNightshade is a noxious weed here that is often called 'deadly nightshade.' I've never actually seen it, but I don't think it has pretty purple flowers like this. I hope you are able to get a photo one day of the elephant hawk moth--that sounds so intriguing!
ReplyDeleteI need to change my sidebar blogroll to get your new blog address in...I noticed your comment on your old blog that things kept disappearing. Well, Blogger has been acting strangely lately. Yesterday none of the comments on my post showed up until the afternoon even though I saw then that several had dropped by early in the morning; I thought everyone must be out in their garden:) And your post title didn't show up on my sidebar till today. Strange indeed...
Cheryl, I finally "found" you again! I'll change my links - I really really like your template! And the photos are wonderful - "autumn lollipop" is a new one for me, and I agree, the little things are to be celebrated.
ReplyDeleteHi Rose....I have had one problem after another. It has really been most frustrating. I type something ....it appears, and then I go back and it's gone. Crazy.
ReplyDeleteWe also have dealy nightshade, which is a completely different plant. Enchanter's nightshade belongs to the willowherb family.....it is a lovely plant, although I confess, it is invasive, so needs to be kept under control.
Hi Amy....well I had decided not to blog anymore, but I had so many lovely emails....I felt quite guilty. So, I thought the best thing to do was start a new blog....fresh start, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteThe Enchanter's nightshade looks like a winner for the shade.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're useing one of the new blog templates...very nice.
Hi Patsi.....Enchanter's nightshade is invasive but perfect for dense shade. I am prepared to accept it's bad behaviour as it is so pretty. I have given it a bed of it's own. I live in hope the elephant hawk moth lays her eggs there......
ReplyDeleteTku re template.....
Hi Cheryl, these photos are so lovely, the composition are excellent too. A macro lens is a dream which i still have not achieved. The first photo with beautiful DOF is my favorite.
ReplyDelete