by hankinslawrenceimages | Sep 19, 2014 | 2015 Wildflower Calendar, Flowers, Ranunculaceae Family, Wildflowers
Yellow Columbine © 2014 Patty Hankins
Columbine is one of my favorite wildflower. I have photographed several native varieties of this magnificent member of the buttercup family – including the Eastern Red Columbine, the Colorado Blue Columbine, and the Yellow Columbine that grows Montana and Wyoming. This spring, I added another wonderful Yellow Columbine (Aquilegia Chrysantha var. Hinkleyana) to the ones I photographed when I found this beautiful flower in Texas.
Native only to one area in Texas, this little beauty is also know as Texas Gold Columbine. I was lucky enough to find it at a botanical garden in Texas – rather than having to find the one waterfall in west Texas where it grows. It can be distinguished from other native varieties of yellow columbine due to its shorter petal blades and divided leaves.
Like other columbines, this Yellow Columbine blooms in the spring, is shade tolerant and has beautiful yellow flowers. I wish it was native to Maryland because I’d love to add some to my native plant garden.
Yellow Columbine is one of the wildflowers featured in my 2015 Wildflower Calendar. My calendar features photographs of twelve different wildflowers I’ve taken in recent years.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Sep 5, 2014 | 2015 Wildflower Calendar, Boraginaceae Family, Flowers, Wildflowers
Virginia Bluebells © 2014 Patty Hankins
When the Virginia Bluebells (mertensia virginica) bloom in the DC area I know that spring is finally here!
The Virginia Bluebells bloom here in late March/early April and if you see them at just the right time – it looks like the woods are carpeted with wildflowers. One of the most popular local places to see the bluebells is at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, Virginia where there is a well-marked bluebell trail that wanders through the woods. It’s a beautiful sight.
Two of my other favorite spots to photograph bluebells are along the C&O Canal in Maryland and at Turkey Run Park in Virginia. In both locations there are wonderful patches of bluebells for taking macro photos – and usually many fewer people than are at Bull Run Park.
Virginia Bluebells are one of the wildflowers featured in my 2015 Wildflower Calendar. My calendar features photographs of twelve different wildflowers I’ve taken in recent years.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Aug 28, 2014 | 2015 Wildflower Calendar, Flowers, Papaveraceae Family, Wildflowers
Wild Bleeding Hearts © 2012 Patty Hankins
Wild Bleeding Hearts (dicentra eximia) are one of my favorite spring wildflowers. The soft pinks and purples of the blossoms look so beautiful against the green leaves.
I’ve only found the wild bleeding hearts a few times out in the wild – usually I see it in botanical gardens. My favorite spot for finding them in the wild is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is a large patch of them that I’ve photographed several times in the past few years growing right along the side of road on the way out to Cades Cove. Every year, I think I know where they are – and then can’t find them. What usually happens is I drive back and forth along that section of road – until I see a splash of pink out of the corner of my eye! Then it’s usually just a matter of a quick u-turn – hunting for a safe place to park – and I’m photographing in a sea of pink, purple and green just a short walk from my car.
Wild Bleeding Hearts are one of the wildflowers featured in my 2015 Wildflower Calendar. My calendar features photographs of twelve different wildflowers I’ve taken in recent years. Special early bird pricing is available on my 2015 Wildflower calendar until August 31, 2014.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Aug 22, 2014 | 2015 Wildflower Calendar, Apiaceae Family, Flowers, Wildflowers
Common Milkweed © 2012 Patty Hankins
I’ve photographed Common Milkweed (asclepias syriaca) in a number of locations – ranging from along the Blue Ridge Parkway to right here in my garden at home. This particular milkweed was photographed at a local botanical garden.
Common Milkweed is a very common and useful wildflower. Native to most of the US and Canada, milkweed is a member of the Asclepiadaceae family. Another popular member of this family is butterfly weed. Milkweed grows to about 6 feet tall – with multiple balls of blossoms on each stalk. The balls of blossoms I photographed were about 4 inches in diameter.
The flowers of the milkweed and other members of the Asclepiadaceae family are very distinctive. Each flower has five parts with inward curving horns at the top – and outward curving umbels below. Common milkweed blooms in late spring through mid-summer.
In the natural world, milkweed plays a vital role in the circle of life. Larvae of several species of butterflies, including monarchs, feed on the leaves – which helps make the caterpillars and butterflies toxic to birds. Once the caterpillar emerges from it’s cocoon, the butterflies feed on the nectar of the milkweed plants.
Common Milkweed is one of the wildflowers featured in my 2015 Wildflower Calendar. My calendar features photographs of twelve different wildflowers I’ve taken in recent years. Special early bird pricing is available on my 2015 Wildflower calendar until August 31, 2014.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Aug 15, 2014 | 2015 Wildflower Calendar, Flowers, Orobanchaceae Family, Wildflowers
Alpine Paintbrush © 2013 Patty Hankins
Alpine Paintbrush (castilleja rhexifolia) is one of the wonderful wildflowers I photographed on my trips to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks a few years ago. I photographed this particular set of Alpine Paintbrush along the side of the road at Glacier National Park. As I was driving along Going to the Sun Road, I spotted a flash of red out of the corner of my eye. After pulling a quick U-turn – I pulled over and found a large patch of Alpine Paintbrush. What was really wonderful about this patch was that it was several yards in front of a group of shrubs full of green leaves. So that when I composed my photo I had a wonderful dark green background to set off the pink/red flowers.
Alpine Paintbrush (also known as Rosy Indian Paintbrush) is a summer-blooming member of the Broomrape family. Previously they were listed as a member of the Figwort family but recent research has placed them in the broomrape family. They can grow to a height of 16″ – these were at least 12″ tall. The spiky-looking flowers can be found in shades of reds and pinks.
Alpine Paintbrush is one of the wildflowers featured in my 2015 Wildflower Calendar. My calendar features photographs of twelve different wildflowers I’ve taken in recent years. Special early bird pricing is available on my 2015 Wildflower calendar until August 31, 2014.
