Bees and butterflies are finding plenty of nectar.

Although many of the flowers in our Butterfly Garden have died or are fading, there is still much beautiful color there.  Many bees and insects are enjoying these blooms, as are butterflies such as this Pearl Crescentspot and Fritillary.

 

Late flowers still showing color

Don't give up - there's still lots of color around Reflection Riding, especially yellow!  Fields of yellow are abundant along the lower road and on the short-cut exit toward the upper road.  There are many blooms still showing in the Butterfly Garden behind the education offices.  And along the way on any road you may see small patches of beautiful fall colors.

Blue-violet is a lovely color for October

Mistflower, of the aster family, can spread quickly and make a large bank or field of pretty violet flowers.  You may see butterflies or bees enjoying it.

 

Leafy Elephant's Foot, sometimes called Carolina Elephant's Foot, is another blue-violet flowe which may be seen on the Creek Road.  It has broad leaves, which may be the origin of its name.  There is an Elephant's Foot plant which is related to the palm tree and not related to this flower.

Yellow is the "in" color this week.

Goldenrod can be seen in huge patches of yellow almost everywhere right now.  Some have alleged that they are allergic to goldenrod, but it has an interesting and varied history: Native Americans chewed it to relieve sore throat and toothache. Famous inventors such as Thomas Edison and George Washington Carver experimented with goldenrod in attempts to produce rubber, ethanol, etc. In fact, Edison owned a T Model Ford with tires made of goldenrod-produced rubber. Its bright fall beauty has caused the state of Kentucky to name it the state flower and South Carolina its state sunflower.

 

 

The Woodland Sunflower is another yellow flower which can be seen mainly along the Creek Road.  Unlike other varieties of sunflower, it prefers partial shade and moist soil.