The echinacea (common name: coneflower) in our front garden are doing beautifully this summer. After years of trying to grow them (I tried the backyard first – not enough sun and too many chomping animals), I had a lovely batch in one spot last summer. I spread out the seeds all over my front yard, and we have been rewarded with lots of these purplish pink flowers. Is that a bee on it? It looks almost like a fly.
Here’s how a coneflower bud looks before it turns purplish pink.
And here’s how the flower looks when it is slightly pink. Echinacea is part of the daisy family.
The astilbe flowers in my backyard have been growing nicely. I finally took some photos – they will quickly start to fade. The bright color does not seem to last long for this perennial. Astilbe do well in shade – one of the reasons why I planted them.
Here is an astilbe up close. From Wikipedia: “Some species are commonly known as false goat’s beard and false spirea.”
I have a wonderful problem: I have taken a lot of cool photos lately. On Thursday night my daughter and I got to see Midsummer Night’s Dream at Rutgers Gardens. So in addition to my Montreal photos and a few from the Philadelphia Art Museum, I have more photos than time to share. We shall see what comes next.
For more Nature Notes:
And I am also linking to I Heart Macro:
Hello Leora, beautiful images of the coneflowers and the astilbe. The coneflowers are one of my favorite summertime flowers. Have a happy day and new week ahead!
Gorgeous pics of the Echinacea and Astilbes. Regretfully neither species seems to like my heavy clay soil!
Gorgeous flowers!
Mine was blooming also and I love them. I also have some astilbe in the back near the snakeroot. I need to move to the laptop to look at the insect in more detail…. Michelle
Both flowers are so beautiful and I love your photos of the same!
I particularly enjoyed the first photograph with tiny insect on it.
Fine work!
Have a Great Day!!
Peace 🙂
Echinacea is a favourite of mine! They bloom for a long time and insects love them! The astilbe is the perfect accompaniment!
I love your images…each one a beauty on its own. Cone flowers are a favorite of mine. Gorgeous captures!
Lovely photos, specially the first one, though I can’t help identify the insect