Saturday, August 15, 2009

GBBD - August 15, 2009

Today is Garden Bloggers' Bloom day.
I haven't posted to this meme for quite some time.

Today's photos are not recent.
They were taken July 26 by Mr. Shady of his prairie. ;-)

Prairie



from The Prairies
by William Cullen Bryant

"These are the Gardens of the Desert, these
The unshorn fields, boundless and beautiful,
for which the speech of England has no name --
the Prairies. I behold them for the first,
And my heart swells, while the dilated sight
Takes in the encircling vastness. Lo! the stretch
in airy undulations, far away..."

Participate in Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day by visiting Carol at May Dreams Gardens.

18 comments:

donna said...

Mr. Shady has a very lovely prairie going on there in Iowa and it was nice of you to share the photos with us on GBBD.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

This is my favorite time of year in the prairie, when it is at peak bloom. Tell Mr. Shady "Bravo!" I do love the big sky over Coneflowers and Ratibida.

Nell Jean said...

Beautiful. Coneflowers and Ratibida have subsided here, at their peak in May.

In my climate, prairies and meadow gardens are spring things, planted in late fall, mowed flat in summer when grass takes over. I'm looking forward to late fall, when we start up planting again.

There's another Bloom Day blogger who posted her meadow; hope you see it.

Unknown said...

Oh, these are beautiful. I have prairie envy. The most I've seen is a little protected area in Windsor, Ontario, and a site at Powell Gardens in Kansas City, Missouri. One day, I'll get to see more of it, but meanwhile, this just fills my soul like the ocean does.

lynn'sgarden said...

Beautiful prarie views! I snapped a very similiar photo not long ago...but no purple coneflowers in mine..mostly yellow.
Lynn

Shady Gardener said...

Donna, He really does, and I'm glad you enjoyed it! He works out there quite diligently. Not only does he enjoy the prairie, but he has food plots for a variety of animals in the winter as well as woodland projects. :-)

MMD, I wish I were able to get out there more often than I do! I'll convey your message. :-)

Nell Jean, Thanks for stopping. I'll take a look to see if I can find that post.

Jody, You'd really love visiting in person. When the "showy" flowers fade, it's still very nice. :-)

Lynn, It won't be long and the purple coneflower will be gone.

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Love the prairies! Going to see one tomorrow! :)

Chloe m said...

SO pretty and I like that poem you used, it was very fitting for the photo.
Rosey

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Yes, all of those prairie plants hold up to the summers heat and humidity. Wonderful shots. Happy GBBD.

Gail said...

It's a wonderful prairie! I wish I could visit it in person...Please tell Mr Shady how much this Midwestener loves it! gail

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Monica, I know you'll be having a great time!

Hi Rosey, Thanks. This prairie used to be just an old 35 acre field. And now look at it! :-)

Lisa, An example of the inception of Xeric gardening! ;-)

Gail, Thanks! Mr. S has worked very hard over the past 15 years in establishing the prairie and working with the woodlands that are also on the property. I'll pass along the compliment. He'll love it!

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Wow, it's so pretty! I didn't realize you had a prairie on you property. We really don't have prairies around here, not much space left to just be wild.

Shirley said...

Oh wow, Shady... that is just stunning! You are so very lucky to have a prairie :-D

Shady Gardener said...

Catherine, It's really not on our home site. It takes about 20 minutes to get there. It used to be partly farm ground, but was put in the CRP program.

Shirl, I feel that way, too. :-)

Karen - An Artist's Garden said...

Mrs Shady's prairie in simply beautiful and I love your photos of it.
K

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Karen! It's getting more beautiful every year. :-)

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I love the prairie! You'll have to post on your husband's projects for the animals this winter.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Sue, Hope we get some photos! I'll work on it (whenever I get my new camera!) ;-)