Today, I went with Jim to Keller. I had to wait in the car. So I decided to challenge myself. What could I find around the buildings and the parking lot? Moreover, would it be interesting. Here is what I found.
First I look at the shrubs behind the car. Glossy Abelia (Linnaea x grandiflora), a non-native shrub was planted.
Second, another favorite of in town landscapers, the Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas).
An Eastern Redbud was planted in one of the islands. Yeah!
Lilac chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) from Mediterranean and Asia. I saw one bee on it.
Another tree in an island was the Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis) from China.
Here again is another non-native, the Fringe Flower Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense). Not a single bug 🙁
Texas Sage or Cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens) had a bee or two on it. This was the most exciting insect around the buildings and parking lot. So at this point I was tired of what I saw which was not much. So I turned back to go sit in the car.
Then I saw something to get excited about…the drainage ditch! Good golly, I knew I would find the good stuff!!
Sedges and Coreopsis!
Horsemint (Monarda citriodora)!
Illinois Bundleflower or Acacia!
Look at all this great stuff!
Leaf Beetle (Chrysomelidae) on Bushy Bluestem!
A Bluet damselfly. Besides this one, I also saw Flame Skimmer dragonflies! Minnows were swimming in the water.
Leaf-footed bug (Leptoglossus phyllopus)!
Rough Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) or as I like to call it the porcupine egg plant! LOL
Finally, a Prairie Agalinis (Agalinis heterophylla)! Certainly as y’all know, where there are native plants, you will find lots of cool life! So in the end, it was a pleasant wait!
This blog reminded me of Sam Kieschnick. He goes with his wife to shop for quilting materials and explores the parking lot for iNat Observations, mainly bugs.
Yay for the drainage ditches!!! Those were lovely habitat photos compared to parking lot plantings. The diversity is rich and awesome. Interesting how many flowers were blooming out of season too.
It sure makes a difference to have the native plants! We’ve seen so much more in our yard now (and at the rental house before) when I got some good plants in the ground.
You are truly amazing. Finding something wonderful anywhere you go. If not on the ground then in the clouds. Thank you.
Thanks 🙂
Where the wild things are! Business landscapes are often so depressing – I’m glad you spotted the drainage!
And the sad thing is it would only a take a change in plant choices to make an improvement. 🙁
What a great story – the comparison and contrast – glad you found a happier place to explore even tho it was a hidden corner
When we go back again in month, I may head straight to the drainage ditch. 😉
This blog reminded me of Sam Kieschnick. He goes with his wife to shop for quilting materials and explores the parking lot for iNat Observations, mainly bugs.
I always look forward to your daily blogs.
Alan, Yeah Sam! and thanks!
Yay for the drainage ditches!!! Those were lovely habitat photos compared to parking lot plantings. The diversity is rich and awesome. Interesting how many flowers were blooming out of season too.
I was surprised on what continues to bloom as well.
It sure makes a difference to have the native plants! We’ve seen so much more in our yard now (and at the rental house before) when I got some good plants in the ground.