I was once courted with Missouri wildflower bouquets.
My suitor would invariably apologize because he didn't have money to buy "real" flowers; and even though wildflowers changed, there always seemed to be a few yellow flowers in the bouquet.
After awhile, I joined this Eastern Tailed Blue Butterfly in a passion for Sawtooth Sunflowers.
Sawtooth Sunflowers get their name from their toothy, coarse leaves.
Sawtooth Sunflowers are found over most of Missouri except southeast lowlands. They can grow up to 16 feet high and hybridize easily; there are at least 11 known hybrids.
Around my property, I've found them up to 5 feet tall, growing in bunches in spots where I couldn't imagine anything would grow. Although they love sunshine, I've found Sawtooth Sunflowers growing in shade.
When work started on the Missouri limestone hill side where I now live, I can still remember being distraught to see bulldozers mowing down patches of Sawtooth Sunflowers. Calling them "weeds" didn't help, these sunny perennials bloom through some of Missouri's hottest summer temperatures, when little else does.
Today I treasure a batch of Sawtooth Sunflowers that re-established themselves at the entrance to my driveway. Even when nothing else is blooming, these Missouri wildflowers add a bright welcome.
Charlotte
Gardening to Distraction on a MO Hill
My suitor would invariably apologize because he didn't have money to buy "real" flowers; and even though wildflowers changed, there always seemed to be a few yellow flowers in the bouquet.
After awhile, I joined this Eastern Tailed Blue Butterfly in a passion for Sawtooth Sunflowers.
Sawtooth Sunflowers get their name from their toothy, coarse leaves.Sawtooth Sunflowers are found over most of Missouri except southeast lowlands. They can grow up to 16 feet high and hybridize easily; there are at least 11 known hybrids.
Around my property, I've found them up to 5 feet tall, growing in bunches in spots where I couldn't imagine anything would grow. Although they love sunshine, I've found Sawtooth Sunflowers growing in shade.
When work started on the Missouri limestone hill side where I now live, I can still remember being distraught to see bulldozers mowing down patches of Sawtooth Sunflowers. Calling them "weeds" didn't help, these sunny perennials bloom through some of Missouri's hottest summer temperatures, when little else does.Today I treasure a batch of Sawtooth Sunflowers that re-established themselves at the entrance to my driveway. Even when nothing else is blooming, these Missouri wildflowers add a bright welcome.
CharlotteGardening to Distraction on a MO Hill
Leave a comment