Magnus Coneflower

The ‘Magnus’ Coneflower, of the Echinacea purpurea family, also known as Purple Coneflower, is one of the coneflowers I chose to be in my Coneflower garden this year. I have one area of purple toned varieties, and then another area that includes the yellows, oranges, and whites. The Magnus is one of the largest, getting 3 feet high, and so far is still blooming away.

Kogane Fubuki Dahlia

Another Dahlia I am growing this year - it is called the Kogane Fubuki Dahlia. The photo on the package shows the color distribution as yellow in the center and red on the outer pedals, but my dahlia seems to be doing the opposite. I had to stake it twice, as the stems are very thick and heavy, and it has about five other blooms maturing.

Red-White Fubuki Dahlia

This is the first year growing Dahlias and they have just started to open up this second week of August. I got a late start with them, as our yard was not ready for planting anything until mid June.

This is a Red-White Fubuki Dahlia that I bought as a bulb from a local gardening store...comes from VanBloem Gardens in Meridian, Mississippi.

The Yellow Rumped Warbler

This little guy posed long enough for a photo op...his name makes you chuckle.

Minnesota Wildflowers - Dutchman's Breeches

This past weekend I took a long nature hike off the bluffs of the Mississippi River and found some great spring wildflowers.

The photo is the wildflower called Dutchman's Breeches. The odd shape of the flower makes it hard to get to the flower's nectar. Only bumblebees have mouths capable of reaching in far enough for the prize.

Minnesota Wildflowers - Columbine

This beautiful red-orange flower hangs upside-down and is usually found perched on rocks or on the edge of shady woodlands. From the Buttercup family, Columbine blooms in late spring and into summer.