Occasionally, I have been taking a break from the classes that I have been teaching this summer to cultivate two flowerbeds of native flowers. I transplanted the Black-eyed Susans from another spot in the yard a couple of years ago and have been pleasantly surprised at how abundant they have gotten. I haven't had to do much to the phlox and coneflowers. Although the phlox were slow to bloom, they typically remain in bloom until late summer or early fall.
I'm reluctant to disturb the soil in these flowerbeds, even though I should add richer soil, because I don't want to lose the seeds from these flowers. I planted more coneflower seeds this spring, but the seeds didn't produce the number of plants that I expected. It may take another year before I will see much more growth.
I am adding a few pictures of the flowers in my yard. Clicking on each picture will enlarge it.
