Ironweed and Prairie Onion

The purple native wildflowers are blooming prolifically! The Ironweed in the west pasture is attracting the Swallowtail butterflies while the Prairie Onions in the gardens are providing meals for the bees.

Trio of Native Plants

Some of the native plants are in full bloom now - the prairie onions, butterfly weed, and monarda. A variety of bees are visiting each of them. My favorite bee is the bumblebee with its loud buzzing.

 

Thistle

As much as I dislike thistle, there are insects that benefit from this plant. The goal, though, is to cut these flowers off just before they start to go to seed. Otherwise, there will be even more patches of thistle which would not be good.

Pollination at Work

 The bees were abundant at Loring Park in Minneapolis.