Purple Loosestrife.  DO NOT PLANT THIS FLOWER!  Although Purple Loosestrife is gorgeous and may be sold in some garden centers, it is an invasive plant destroying wetlands, particularly in the Eastern U.S. Although it may not have destroyed western wetlands yet, it will get there if gardeners continue to plant it. The plant aggressively reproduces and crowds out native species necessary for birds and other wildlife. If you like this color, plant Liatris--a native species--instead. Enough of the lecture already, here are more summer wildflowers...

Evening Primrose. You can only see this flower bloom if you are out at night or early morning. The video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiODdt8l108 shows how quickly the flower opens. Just another of nature's wonders.

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Unemployed for the last nine months, I've been given the gift of time that those rushing to work cannot afford. Although I wouldn't wish unemployment on anyone, I am enjoying the good things it brings. I now spend hours each day photographing wildflowers and learning about them. I have pictures of more than a hundred right now. I also like sharing what I've learned with you and finding other good things about unemployment at unemployedmarx.blogspot.com. Onto more flowers...

Spotted Joe-Pye Weed. A native plant that likes to stand in water or very damp soil. It grows quite tall with huge blooms. This one, which stands in a marshy area of our yard, is at least six feet.

Lady's Thumb. Like Purple Loosestrife, this is another weed from Europe. I like my photo because it shows both the blooms and the distinguishing leaf. The dark green spot on the leaf is where the plant got its common name because it was thought to resemble a thumbprint.  

Bull Thistle. The king of thistles. If you fall into this one, you'll be crying for some time. It is another invasive that thrives everywhere in the U.S. Many states have programs to eradicate it.

Common Tansy.  This European native is all over this area (where NY, VT & MA intersect) now. It is usually several feet tall. 

Staghorn Sumac. This is actually the fruit, not the flower, of the tree. Although there are several different Sumacs, the Staghorn's branches around the fruit are downy, similar to a buck's antlers when in velvet.

Common Burdock. A big Eurasian plant with prickly flowers. Not only is it difficult to pull up, I find it hard to dig up too. Herbalists use the root for lots of ailments including skin disorders, gastrointestinal conditions and urinary problems. 

Copyright Sheba Marx