Fabulous Phlox of the Catskills!

Phlox is perhaps one of the most common garden flowers in the Catskills. We are most familiar with tall garden phlox, Phlox paniculata, and it is in its glory blooming right now in our area. It is loved, despite its susceptibility to deer and powdery mildew, for its often fragrant,…

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Black-Eyed Susans Gone Wild (In Catskills Gardens)!

Black-eyed Susans are blooming throughout the Catskills right now.   Many of the wildflowers I have posted on recently are originally from Europe but have naturalized to become a significant component of the local Catskills vegetation. Not Black-Eyed Susans! Black-Eyed Susans are North American natives with about 24 good species.…

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Mints of the Mountains II – Monarda (aka Beebalm)

Beloved for its bright red flowers, the Bee Balm, known to botanists as Monarda didyma, has been blooming for several weeks in the Catskills region. This perennial species of Monarda is often found growing wild, and is also popular in the garden. It is a truly native wildflower and is…

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Yarrow – Catskills Wildflower or Garden Flower?

This week, Yarrow, a common wildflower that is also popular in the garden is blooming throughout the Catskills region.  Most of our woods wildflowers are native, part of the local vegetation before European settlement. Many of the wildflowers of Catskills fields and roadsides, however, were introduced to the region by…

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Daylily vs. Lily Redux

This weekend my mother came to visit, so in order to spend more time with her, I am republishing a post from 2012, which I think many may find informative and appropriate for the season. Summer is now in full gear here in Delaware County. Most trees and shrubs such…

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Crazy Daisies of the Catskills!

Blooming throughout the Catskills right now is the Oxeye Daisy, a wildflower of fields, roadsides and other open areas. Known to botanists as Leucanthemum vulgare, it is actually a native of Europe, but has become naturalized here so that it is now a common and conspicuous component of the local…

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Catskills Clovers! Legumes of the Catskills II

Previously, I discussed the Lupin, a popular garden flower, which is a member of the Legume family of plants. I also mentioned the important crops that this plant family provides for human consumption and animal feed. Legumes also have a very significant role in improving the quality of soil. An…

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