In a Vase, on Monday – Going to Seed

Chris Mousseau

A good friend is talking about planting a wildflower garden atop his new septic field, so I thought I’d get him started with seeds from Ratibida pinnata aka Prairie Coneflower aka Grey Headed Coneflower. I think I’ve mentioned before how easily they spread, seeding by themselves or with the help of a hand or two throwing spent flower heads here and there. So, joining Cathy at Rambling in the Garden and her weekly vase of cut flowers, here is the jar of flowers just starting to go over that I gave my friend yesterday. In a few weeks they’ll be ready to toss about, and hopefully some of the seeds will germinate in the spring. I added the Tithonia stem as a reminder that this same friend gifted me my original Mexican sunflower seeds about five years ago; this year’s plants are direct offspring.

Seeds starting to form, loosen up…ready to fall…
On the back porch surrounded by the usual assortment of props.
One of the R. pinnata patches..looking east at sunrise this past Saturday morning.

22 Comments

  3. I do enjoy seeing those coneflowers. I finally decided part of the appeal is their ‘cones,’ which are just slightly more rounded than our species. Of course, the contrast between the yellow and gray is lovely, as well.

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  7. I tried growing Ratibida from seed this year, or maybe it was last year, but with no success – they clearly love the conditions you have! They look wonderful in a vase and clearly welcomed the tithonia with open arms! I like your display of bits and bobs and the black and white photograph shows off the shape and structure of the blooms so well

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  9. They are lovely, especially with the Tithonia. Glad you can spread them beyond your own garden too and that your friend will also be able to enjoy them!

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  10. Those coneflowers are so appealing — I haven’t had luck growing coneflowers from seed in northern California but I’ve added to my collection when I find plants from time to time. I will be on the lookout for this one!

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