Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Wildflower Meadow


I always wonder how wild plants perfectly grow in the meadows, fields, woods without any help of a gardener, without fertilizer, weeding, pruning, etc. and well survive in winter, flourish and propagate self-seeding. This month I have gone for a walk to a nearest wildflower meadow not far from my summer cottage.

feather grass, wild rye, hair grass, briza


I've enjoyed the smell of meadow, flowering plants and the sight of tall grasses swaying in the wind. We call such a meadow - motley grass, there is a lot of cirsium (thistle), clover, feather grass, elymus (wildrye or wheatgrass), deschampsia (hair grass), lolium (ryegrass ), briza, scented flowers as mimulus (monkeyflower), caltha (marigold), filipendula (meadowsweet) there


thistle

clover
 
monkeyflower

meadowsweet
 
Along the narrow creek the bushes grew, at first they seemed similar to me , but after looking closely I noticed that their leaves and inflorescence were different. I think they were Sorbaria and Aruncus (goat's beard).

goat's beard

High flowering perennial plants with white and yellow small flowers smelled pleasantly, many bees and bumblebees had flown around them.


Two low yellow plants in the tall grass was a St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) and a Tansy (Tanacetum) both are drug plants that can be bought at a pharmacy.


St. John's wort

Tansy

Other plant that I know, it was a meadow fireweed or rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium), which begins to bloom in the middle of summer. If you want to know how long the summer will last, then look at the fireweed flowers. If they have already wilted, then autumn is coming soon, and if they are still blossoming then rejoice the summer! 

fireweed 

 Angelica

On the photo above Angelica is, it was revealed from 14th Century as a medicinal plant and when I was a child it was popular in our games. The red flower that surprised me was Maltese Cross (Lychnis), its bright red colors contrasted with wildflower meadow.
 
Lychnis

My walk was short, I've had some business at home. It was nice I took the pictures to talk you about wild plants growing in the North.
Maybe some of them grow in your place as well? Do you use them as drug plants?

43 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures Nadezda! I always loved the Angelica although I never saw one in person but I remember it in gardening books I read as a child. Thanks for sharing these splendid images!

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    1. MDN, Angelica is well known plant, prefers cool climates. If planted in a zone with hot summers, a dappled shade location will provide protection for the heat sensitive plant. So you can try to grow it in your tropical climate :-)

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  2. Надежда,как богаты всевозможными растениями наши луга,поля и леса.Собирай ,лечись,пей чай.Обожаю как пахнет донник белый и желтый (фото 7 снизу).Его собираю для аромата.Есть масло зверобойное.Клеаерная полянка образовалась на дачном газоне.Прекрасные фотографии.

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    1. Согласна, много интересных, известных и неизвестных нам растений на лугах и в лесах, Надежда. Донник еще с детства помню, делали дудочки. Рада что вам понравились мои фотографии.

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  3. M o s t interesting, Nadezda! Some of these plants grow also here, but some I have never seen. For example Lychnis, I read that it's native to Russia, Mongolia and some parts of China, but since it's a popular garden plant, also in Finland it can be found growing wild, having escaped from gardens.
    It's said here that wildflower meadows are becoming more rare, because they are not used anymore for hay production or as a pasture. Fortunately people are creating "wildflower pastures" now, and they can be really beautiful.
    Thank you for the lovely photos!

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    1. You're right Sara, wildflower meadows are rare here too, especially close to the big city. This one was a boggy area some years ago then the melioration was made, many plants and flowers have seeded themselves there. I'm glad walking in such meadow not far from my cottage.

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  4. I would love to have a garden big enough to plant a wild flower meadow.

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  5. I have to say you have seen a lot on your short walk. I love wild flower meadows with all their beautifull different grasses and flowers. What strikes me is that you have the same flowers and grasses as are growing here in our country. I just love it.
    Regards, Janneke

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    1. Janneke, I'm glad you're back on my blog! I think these meadow plants are so unpretentious to the growing conditions and tolerate different climates, therefore we can find them in different part of the Europe.
      Have a nice day!

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  6. The wildflower meadow near your cottage is beautiful and carefree. What a delight to walk through such beauty.

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  7. Hello dear Nadezda!
    Beautiful post and great pictures.
    I like to walk in the flowered meadows.
    I was surprised by the red curls.
    I have such in my garden.
    Kisses and greetings.
    Lucja

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    1. Lychnis (red curls or Maltese cross) is well known as a garden flower, I agree, Lucja. So I was amazed to meet it among wildflowers.
      Hugs!

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  8. Thank you for sharing this beautiful meadow Nadezda. I so enjoyed the stroll!

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  9. Good morning dear Nadezda,
    I agree with you how beautiful this meadows are. From a distance you only see the grasses but taking a closer look is suprising how many beautiful wildflowers are there.
    Lovely post I like it.
    Have a wonderful day
    Rosehugs Marijke

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    1. The grasses are high, pretty and look like waves on the wind, Marijke. I love their structure and shape.
      Have a nice week!

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  10. Olá, apreciar as plantas selvagens nascidas no campo é maravilhoso, fico encantado com as lindas diversas corese a beleza que transmitem, as fotos são impecáveis.
    Continuação de boa semana,
    AG

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    1. Antonio, este campo es muy agradable, con un montón de flores Gracias!

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  11. Dear Nadezda, how beautiful nature grows together. All colours, al kind of flowers, it is magic. I really enjoyed youe post. Groetjes Hetty

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  12. Es precioso, algunas de las plantas también crecen por aquí. Besos.

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    1. Me sorprendió de saber esto, Theresa. ¡Qué naturaleza!

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  13. Wild plants are really beautiful. We do not use them. Have a nice weekend Nadezda;-)

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  14. Beautiful shots. :-) I don't see a lot of wildflower meadows here, but they do plant wildflowers along our highways that normally bloom and are quite lovely around May and July. :-)

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    1. The meadows are rare now, you're right, Judy. Wildflowers can grow everywhere.

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  15. We are seeing more and more meadow plantings around our area in public lands, which is a wonderful thing. I don't go for a walk in them as often as I'd like, but I do enjoy the natural look of them and all the bees and butterflies that visit them. I have a small butterfly garden where I try to plant all native plants; it's interesting to see that even though you and I live halfway around the world from each other, we enjoy these same native plants. I did see your email, Nadezda, and replied--I hope it's a little helpful. Have a wonderful week!

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    1. What a nice butterfly garden!Yes, nature doesn't know borders, many same wildflowers grow in different parts of the world.
      Have a nice weekend, Rose!

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  16. Yes, I love to grow lots of wildflowers!

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  17. son tan buenas tus fotos que hasta el aroma silvestre se huele Un abrazo

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  18. Las más humildes también son preciosas Nadezda. Me encantan las flores silvestres, sin que nadie las cuide regalan mucha belleza.
    Preciosas fotos!!!
    Te deseo un buen lunes.
    Besoss

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    1. Si, Laura, las flores humildes and huelan mucho. Gracias!

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  19. I love meadows with the wildflowers!! I love walking in the meadow and picking some flowers for the bouquet!!
    Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos !!
    Greetings

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    1. I can imagine Ela your scented bouquet, thank you!

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  20. Your photos of the wildflower meadow are so beautiful Nadezda. Thank you for sharing them!

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