Warning: There can be limits to free speech and repercussions as well.

I have not really cried in adulthood, except when my grandma died and at times when my children were involved. But this morning it has occurred to me that I must be evolving.

I was watching "Face The Nation" this morning. Gov. Crist and the other Gulf Coast Governors were interviewed. As I sat here listening to true phrases like.."worst environmental disaster in our history" and, "the unprecedented destruction of wildlife" and the "financial ruin of millions", I found myself tearing up.

We can yell and scream about legal, financial and moral responsiblity all day, and should. But when it comes right down to it, we are in the mess anyway.

The way of life lived in the southeast in general will be changed for the worse for the foreseeable future. This is a horror I wish I had not out-lived.

Thank you to all those physically and in other ways doing all they can to clean this mess up. We should never forget this, and unfortunately I doubt we will have that opportunity anytime soon.

Maddad

Wondering what kind of flowers to use in your landscaping scheme this year? Why not use native flowers, or wildflowers?

Whether an apartment balcony, a patio garden, a home, or lush acreage, you can enjoy the beauty of wildflowers! Wildflowers are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur. These important species provide nectar, pollen, seeds, and cover that serve as food and homes for native butterflies, birds, and other animals. Unlike wildflowers, common horticultural plants do not provide nutritious meals for wildlife and often require pest control products and fertilizers to survive.

If you enjoy observing nature, are concerned about the environment, or wish to make a long-term contribution to your community’s ecosystem, then using wildflowers is a responsible, money-saving, long-term, and positive investment to both your property and your community. Even an apartment dweller can have one or two wildflower pots on the balcony, to provide a way station for butterflies in the area.

This series of articles is designed to help you select wildflowers for your area. To select the wildflowers showcased in this series of articles, many sources have been researched. First, a map of the general regions of the US was found, to help determine geographic and climatic areas of the US. Then, native plant nurseries that list the wildflowers available through their services were researched to find wildflowers that would available for purchase. Lastly, the wildflowers were researched for their growth habits, characteristics, and soil/moisture requirements. By selecting only herbaceous, showy wildflowers to be a part of the list, you, the wildflower enthusiast, will be able to select plants of beauty, as well as those that are beneficial to the ecology of your home. Many wildflowers are available through large parts of the country, so a map of the US, depicting the general geographical distribution of the wildflower has been included within each description.

Please remember that I am not a horticulturist, botanist, or “plant person”, other than an enthusiast! I have garden experience, and have been known to be afflicted with a “black thumb”, instead of a “green thumb”. However, I’ve had good luck with the native plants that I’ve tried to grow. Since many other people here on Newsvine are also interested in wildflowers, it makes sense to share the results of my research—so that all of us can enjoy the beauty and diversity of the flowering species that are native to our particular area.

So, sit back and enjoy planning and planting your garden-- Wildflowers are hardy, easy to grow, and very beautiful! Please take the poll, so that I may plan the articles and select plants based on your interests.

Wildflower of the Day -- April 1, 2010

Region: Northwest, North, West, Southwest

Showy Milkweed --

Asclepias speciosa

a.k.a. Common Milkweed, Greek Milkweed
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Period: Summer
Color: Victorian rose, antique rose, pale pink, white
Height: 2 – 5’
Moisture: Average to moist
Life Span: Perennial

The Showy Milkweed is a native perennial that grows from sea level to over 6,200 ft. in elevation. The plant usually inhabits areas that are moist throughout the summer, but is also listed as drought tolerant. Some sources suggest that the plant be watered well in the early summer, and can then be left alone. The plant is listed as needing cross-pollination for fruit and seed development, so several plants may be desirable to maintain a bed. The height of the plant varies widely, as well. Before purchase, the local nursery should be consulted to determine the height the plant gets in your area.

Considered to be a weed in Wyoming, the plant is listed as threatened in Iowa. Showy Milkweed is a very important plant for butterflies, (especially Monarchs and Viceroys), as the alkaloids within the plant provide protection for the butterflies from predators. However, only butterflies that have evolved with the plant will be benefitted from the particular alkaloid of the area’s plants. It is best to purchase plants or seeds from a local nursery, so that the protection by the alkaloids is beneficial to the butterflies. By the same token, it may be toxic to sheep, horses, cattle and chickens, and should not be planted in areas where livestock can browse the plants.

The species is tolerant to clay soils, and is great to plant in butterfly and bird gardens. The foliage color is silver. A beautiful addition to a native plant garden, the Showy Milkweed is hardy, and is reported to have a lovely fragrance.

Thank you for stopping by!

Note to readers: I will try to research and write up at least one wildflower per day, from different regions of the US. It takes a bit to research each one, but I’ll try. Hope you have a great day!

It was one of those beautiful summer mornings. I was on my way back from taking the pack on their walk. The pups were on their leads, but when I reached the garage I released Buddy and Bella. I knew they would run ahead to the back door and wait for me. I had to keep Sparkle tethered because, if free, she would head straight to the pond and I didn't feel like bathing her afterward.

Buddy is always in the lead so as usual he reached the house first. However, something had caught Bella's attention and she was checking it out. As Sparkle and I approached, I still wasn't able to make out what she was sniffing....I had forgotten my glasses. I bent over to have a closer look and saw it was a hummingbird, it wasn't moving. I felt so bad for the little bird. It must have flown into the garage window. I herded the pups to the house and let them inside, so that I could go back and bury the hummingbird.

I grabbed my glasses, a paper towel and went back to where the bird was lying. I knelt next to the bird and noticed that it's tiny chest was thumping so fast, it looked as though it's heart would burst. At that moment my heart started pounding. It wasn't dead so why wasn't it moving. On closer examination, there were bits of leaves and twigs entwined in a thread-like substance, which was wrapped around the entire bird.

I carefully scooped him into my left palm. As I stood, I turned toward the sunlight that was shining over the treetops. That enabled me to see the material that cocooned the tiny creature. I started with the talons. I gingerly began to pull away the sticky white film and realized the hummingbird must have flown into a very large spiders web. Once the talons were free, I perched it on my finger. Surprisingly the bird seemed to understand that I was no threat. The thumping of it's chest had slowed and it didn't seem to mind what I was doing.

Gently, with the tips of my thumb and fore-finger I pulled twigs and leaves, wadded in web, away from it's beak and eyes. Until this point it's eyes had been closed. What a fright it must have been for the poor little thing to finally see what had a hold of it....probably thought I was cleaning it only to devour.

I am in awe, that there is no resistance. I continue down the front of it's chest and as I'm removing the cob webs, I can't help but be mesmerized by the iridescent, green-blue, velvety feathers that are gleaming in the sunlight. I slowly run my finger down the back of it's head all the way to the tail feathers.

Lastly, I cleaned each wing. It was then, the hummingbird did a test flutter, but made no attempt to fly away. I could see there was more webbing on the under side of the wings. I wasn't sure how to remove it, without frightening the bird. As carefully as possible I took the tip of the wings between my fingers to remove the last of the sticky web.

One more test flutter and then, as if freed from pending dome, the hummingbird zoomed off. It performed one circular test flight, in front of me, and then disappeared into a golden ray of sunlight.