Papaver rhoeas (Corn Poppy)

There are 70 to 100 species of Papaver which are found in cold regions of Eurasia, Africa and North America. The species from my garden pictured below is commonly known as the corn poppy. It is a perennial.

It is thought to have been a cultural symbol, probably Minoan Crete, because a figurine known as the poppy goddess was found at a Minoan sanctuary in Crete. People believed they would get a bountiful crop if poppies grew in their field, hence the name 'corn poppy (taken from Wikipedia)

Zinnia elegans

Zinnia is a genus of 20 species of annual and perennial plants of the family. They are native to scrub and dry grassland in an area stretching from the Southwestern United States to South America and Mexico.

Zinnia elegans are annuals that grow to be three to four feet high. They range in colors of red, yellow, orange, pink, rose, lavender, green and white and attract birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Plant in full sun (zone 2 to 11)

Zinnia Patch

Zinnia peruviana

Zinnia is a genus of 20 species of annual and perennial plants of the family. They are native to scrub and dry grassland in an area stretching from the Southwestern United States to South America and Mexico.

Zinnia peruviana are annuals that grow to be three to four feet high. They are strong attractors of butterflies. Easy to grow and somewhat drought tolerant. Plant in full sun (zone 2 to 11)

Zinnia Patch

 

The Badlands: Where the dinosaurs once roamed!

I end my blogging for today by posting pictures I took of the Badlands. This area is located about 1.5 hours northeast of Calgary. The area once belonged to the dinosaurs and many fossils have been uncovered in this area. The following are pictures of Drumheller and Horseshoe Canyon.

Drumheller

Horseshoe Canyon

Horseshoe Canyon

The Canadian Prairie Landscape: My Canvas

I am blessed to live in a city in which to the west are the Rocky Mountains and to the east are the prairies of wheat fields, wetlands, and an extreme variety of wild foliage. The following are pictures of the prairie land of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Native Prairie Wild Flowers

Symphyotrichum ericoides, White Heath Asters

Taken in Alberta

  The following wildflowers have yet to be identified

Taken in Alberta

Taken in Alberta

Taken in Saskatchewan

Taken in Alberta

Taken in Alberta

Native Prairie Yellow Salsify/Common Goatsbeard

Taken in Alberta

This picture was taken in Alberta

Native Prairie Wild Sunflower

I have been asked on several occasions to include plants that are native to the area. I recently went on a road trip that took me across two Canadian provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan. The next few posts depict native plants in these two provinces.

Wild Sunflower is abundant in the Canadian prairie provinces. These pictures were taken in Alberta and Saskatchewan

Double Hollyhock

It is very hard to show the essence of this plant in a photograph. This hollyhock stands about 5 feet tall and is almost 5 feet of continuous bloom. It bloomed late (this week) only because I planted it late but next year I expect to see blooms in July. I have an orange and red double hollyhock as well and I am just waiting for them to bloom.

Alcea (Hollyhock)

Hollyhocks is a great choice for full sun locations that are very hot and dry and they are drought resistant. I planted mine along side the garage with a south/west exposure. They stand about 6 ft high. They do re-seed themselves so I do expect to see them again next year.

Portulaca amilis

When doing research on this plant species, I discovered that some species are edible with a mushroom type flavor. I love the color and texture of this plant and consider it a great addition to the garden.