At the end of summer, sunflowers are noticeable parts of the landscape. Poets William Blake and Kenneth W. Porter have both written about the sunflower. However, their poems feel very different.
Hibiscus Haiku by Basho
In the twilight rain/these brilliant-hued hibiscus/A lovely sunset/--Basho. What role does the symbolism of the hibiscus play in this haiku?
Sunday Photo Recap
Welcome to our Sunday Photo Recap. Today we are sharing some of the photos that didn't make it to our website and putting the spotlight on a member of our growing IG community.
Sunday’s Photo Post
NaturalistWeekly.com is trying its hand at nature photography. We started an Instagram account with the goal capturing those everyday moments of nature connection. With a quick photo and some research, we hope to expand our understanding of the world around us. Here are four of my favorite photos from IG last week. Enjoy! White Spring... Continue Reading →
Evening Primrose: the plant and the poem
The Plant The Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a biennial plant native to North America and Canada. The term “biennial” indicates that it takes two years for the plant to complete its life cycle. During the first year, it only grows foliage. In the second year, it will flower. (1) The Evening Primrose aptly gets... Continue Reading →
The European Columbine
The European, or Garden, Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) is a perennial plant with blue, purple, or white flowers. Each flower is about as long as it is wide. This plant, which is a member of the Buttercup family, will grow up to 3 feet tall.(1) The European Columbine has spread widely across North Americas and is... Continue Reading →
Thorns on a Swamp Rose
Over the brambles The Swamp Rose lures me closer Fingers hooked by thorns A Haiku by Mark The Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 7 feet tall and is native to the eastern United States. As the name suggests, this plant prefers moist, acidic soil. The Swamp Rose... Continue Reading →
Honeysuckle and the Pollinator Garden
A gentle breezeShakes the honeysuckle treeA Monarch takes flight Honeysuckle is the name for a group of shrubs, vines, or herbs in the Caprifoliaceous family. These plants can be identified by their opposite leaves and flowers that have either bilateral or radial symmetry which flare into a trumpet-like shape(1). Honeysuckle Flower One thing that the... Continue Reading →
Chokecherry
As the flowers from the Pin Cherry tree drop away, the white flowers of the Chokecherry emerge to take their place on the landscape. The woody plant known as Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) grows as a shrub or small tree under 30 feet in height. It often grows in dense thickets and in damp, rich soils. ... Continue Reading →
Cherry Blossoms
How many, many things They call to mind These cherry blossoms! ~Matsuo Basho Japan-Guide.com In Basho's home country of Japan there are over one hundred varieties of cherry trees. The most popular cherry tree in Japan is known as Somei Yoshino. The Somei Yoshino was heavily cultivated in Tokyo during the Edo Period, which is... Continue Reading →
Marsh Marigold
The flowering of the Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) is another sign of spring! These bright yellow flowers are a part of the buttercup family and bloom in our neighborhood around the end of April or beginning of May. As you can tell by the name, the Marsh Marigold likes to grow in wet areas. Their... Continue Reading →