Playin' Outside

There HAVE actually been some good things happen in 2020.   One for me was being fortunate to join a small group working to certify Austin as a Bee City through the Xerces Society.  As part of that effort, we've formed Pollinate Austin - PollinATX for short - and, of course, I wanted to share it with you. We intend to publish a newsletter with articles we're sure you'll find of interest.  We'll link to events and resources within our community as well as simply delight in our favorite "gateway bugs" (yes, they're not true bugs but well, you know.)  If you share our passion, you'll want to be part of the fun. Subscribe to the newsletter here:  https://forms.gle/VcYiKxqmi618PjBSA And follow us on Facebook here:  https://www.facebook.com/PollinATX     Looking forward to seeing you!

Ironweed  Vernonia fasciculata is my pick for Wildflower Wednesday  as it's just starting to bloom in my garden and is one of my all-time favorites.  One look at that color, and its mop of flowers often covered with bees, and I knew it belonged in my garden. But where to find it?  As with too many native plants, it wasn't available locally so I deployed an even better option - found it in a field slated for commercial development, asked permission,  and "rescued" several. It took a couple of years to seem happy, but now it dies to the ground each winter only to return the following late spring/early summer to make me and the bees happy. Evidently ironweed doesn't make everyone happy.  Check out this quote I found online:    " Ironweed  was  named  for its rugged stalks, which stubbornly persist throughout the winter. Its underground stems are equally tenacious, sending up sprouts even when repeatedly mowed. The plant's vivid purple