Today I needed to visit the produce market in Forestburg. So I decided to make a side trip. The trip was going to be short, but instead it ended up more like two and half hours. What can I say I am easily sucked in. LOL
Mountain Pink (Centaurium beyrichii ) are blooming! They look just like a bouquet.
The flowers and leaves were covered in dust from the road.
To find the Mountains Pink search for limestone gravel or sandy limestone soils. Montague County has lots of roads that fit the bill. However don’t expect a clean car after traveling on the gravel roads. 🙂
Water was still flowing in a creek. The big slab below seemed to be starring back at me.
Next I parked my car under this magnificent oak that was covered with Trumpet Creeper or Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans).
Some people plant this lovely vine. However some says it can be problematic. But in fact when I planted it did absolute nothing. I gave up. 🤷🏻♀️ The FNCT says that Ruby-throated Hummingbird is one of its pollinators.
Here was the reason I stopped at this location, Wild Potato-vine (Ipomoea pandurata). It was early enough in the morning for the blossoms to still be open. In the eastern part of the US the Potato-vine can be aggressive in its growth. Not so in our area. It was probably a welcome addition as a food source for native people. The tuber can get up to twenty pounds I have read. That would make a good meal or two.
A bee was checking it out. So is this bee going in or out? It did go deep down the Potato-vine’s throat.
Tomorrow I will give you the answer. 😉 It is a fifty percent chance you will get it right.
The bee looks like it is dancing on its hind legs.
I had really good luck growing Mountain Pinks in my Carrollton yard in a place it shouldn’t have liked. North side of my house in front of a pond in moist gravelly soil. They were lovely. I thought they liked those gravelly caliche roadsides where nothing much grows and is hot and dry. I have put seed out on the bare soil in my cactus bed but this has not worked. I may have to put seed in a moister spot and see.
We are having tons of butterflies. Elata Checkerspot, Vesta Crescent, Texan Crescent, Gray Hairstreak and Reakirts Blues. Then Queens, Gulf Frits, PipevineSwallowtails, 1 Black Swallowtail around my Golden Alexanders, zillions of Bordered Patch. But plants are drying up in the pastures so my yard area is an oasis in a desert.
Trumpet vines surely can be invasive. Sad about the crabs 😢
Agreed 😥
I approve of your side trip!
👍🏼
The bee looks like it is dancing on its hind legs.
I had really good luck growing Mountain Pinks in my Carrollton yard in a place it shouldn’t have liked. North side of my house in front of a pond in moist gravelly soil. They were lovely. I thought they liked those gravelly caliche roadsides where nothing much grows and is hot and dry. I have put seed out on the bare soil in my cactus bed but this has not worked. I may have to put seed in a moister spot and see.
We are having tons of butterflies. Elata Checkerspot, Vesta Crescent, Texan Crescent, Gray Hairstreak and Reakirts Blues. Then Queens, Gulf Frits, PipevineSwallowtails, 1 Black Swallowtail around my Golden Alexanders, zillions of Bordered Patch. But plants are drying up in the pastures so my yard area is an oasis in a desert.
Keep us updated on your Mountain Pinks. Wow on the butterflies! Such a variety!!!
I remember one year we had one grow in a rock at the edge of the garden pond. It was weird.
Hmmm, maybe I should get some seed and try out in the caliche soil near the house.