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September 13, 2011 · 5 Comments

Sunflower at Sunset

Plants

I’m kicking myself for having lost the seed packet for these sunflowers growing in the meadow behind my house. I believe they are Helianthus maximiliani Heliopsis helianthoides. Whatever their name, botanical or otherwise, they have brightened up our meadow for several weeks. They’re tall — sometimes over 6 feet — with bunches of these bright yellow blooms on top.

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Comments

  1. Karen says

    September 13, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    What a wonderful photo, Mary. What a sight these must be at over 6′ tall. Lovely.

  2. Peter Hoh says

    September 17, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    Could this be Heliopsis helianthoides?

  3. Mary Schier says

    September 20, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    Peter — I was traveling last week and saw some Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’ — and I remembered that I bought those seeds at the Landscape Arboretum this past winter. I think that is what it is. There is so much around, it has to be something I planted. (Note to self: Keep better records!)

  4. Mary Schier says

    September 21, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    Peter — I was looking at my seed packets and found the Lemon Queen — I never planted it! I checked images of Heliopsis helianthoides on-line and I think you may have hit on what this is. Thanks!

  5. Peter Hoh says

    September 26, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    A friend of mine grows these at the U because they are a good host to a certain aphid that his team is studying. As for me, I’d rather have them without the aphids.

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In normal times, we’d be in our first week in Fl In normal times, we’d be in our first week in Florida right now, which would mean a visit to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens on our first full day there. Always great art and gardens to see. Then some beach time and plans for our first preseason game. (Twins, Pirates, Orioles, it’s all great.) We were very lucky to get the trip in last year and hope to be in Sarasota again this time next year. Meanwhile I’m indulging in some Insta-nostalgia and feeling grateful for longer days and sunshine here in Minnesota. Which vacations are you remembering fondly these days? 
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New issue of Northern Gardener and a cup of tea— New issue of Northern Gardener and a cup of tea—great way to pass a gloomy late afternoon. This issue is full of ideas for spring from @jenniferrensenbrink @monarchgardensbenjaminvogt @gbrownhudson @seedtofork and more. Stunning cover image from @riedelphoto.  Available March 1 on newsstands or subscribe through @mnhort! 
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Winter ❄️ sowing? Have you tried it? Today’s Winter ❄️ sowing? Have you tried it? Today’s guest on the Grow it, Minnesota podcast is Michelle Mero Riedel, who introduced me and readers of Northern Gardener to the concept more than a decade ago. It’s been one of  our most popular articles ever. 

In winter sowing, you create mini-greenhouses out of milk jugs and other recyclables. Perennial flowers 💐 can be planted in February and March, while annuals, vegetables and herbs can be set out in April. Mother Nature does most of the work. It’s a budget friendly way to grow lots of plants! 

For more info, check out the podcast or a new blog post over on mynortherngarden.com. Links to all in bio. 
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What is this? Like day 10 or 12 with temps below z What is this? Like day 10 or 12 with temps below zero? Time to ramble back to June when the penstemon was covered in bees and the veronica looked so pretty. June is my second favorite month in the garden (believe it or not, September is number one for me). What’s your favorite month? P.S. only 14 weeks until June! 
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Oh boy, check out the bucket hat and shades. I was Oh boy, check out the bucket hat and shades. I was digging through some old family photos and came across this one of me circa 1990s, I’d guess, weeding at our first house. I had a lot to learn (like A LOT) about gardening, and little did I know then that I’d be writing about gardening for a living someday. Lots of good thing happen in the garden. 
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#flowers #bouquet #flowersmakemehappy #plantsmakepeoplehappy
The latest episode of Grow it, Minnesota is all ab The latest episode of Grow it, Minnesota is all about plants with medicinal uses.  I interview author and herbalist Matthew Alfs about his new book on Edible and Medicinal Wild Plants of the Midwest. We talked about a few of my favorite plants such as wild geraniums and anise hyssop and also about what we call weeds that have other uses. 

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Listen to the podcast at growitminnesota.com or wherever you get your podcasts. 
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Leaving plants up in winter gives you something to Leaving plants up in winter gives you something to look at, but helps pollinators and birds more. As the sun gets stronger in late January, these are a few of my favorites for winter interest. 
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What’s a northern gardener to do all winter? In What’s a northern gardener to do all winter? In these pandemic times, I’ve been having fun making quilts. Small, easy, no stress quilts. And, these garden themed fabrics on discount through Etsy were irresistible. 

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