#providing

[al-jadwal]

Seeking Knowledge Does Not Mean One Neglects Providing For Their Family

Ḏikr ma yajibu ʿalá Ṭālib al-Ḥadīthi min al-Iḥtirāfi li ʿl-ʿIyāl wa Iktisābi ʿl-Ḥalāl (ie: Mentioning that which is obligatory upon the student of ḥadīth concerning earning and living [for his family] from permissible means) ذِكْرُ مَا يَجِبُ عَلَى طَالِبِ الْحَدِيثِ مِنَ الِاحْتِرَافِ لِلْعِيَالِ وَاكْتِسَابِ الْحَلَالِ If a student of knowledge has family and there is no breadwinner for his family besides him then it is disliked (and looked down upon) for him to disassociate himself from working and earning a living, إِذَا كَانَ لِلطَّالِبِ عِيَالٌ لَا كَاسِبَ لَهُمْ غَيْرُهُ، فَيُكْرَهُ لَهُ أَنْ يَنْقَطِعَ عَنْ مَعِيشَتِهِ وَيَشْتَغِلَ بِالْحَدِيثِ عَنِ الِاحْتِرَافِ لَهُمْ، The ʿaṣl (ie: foundation) is of this from [that which is to follow]: وَالْأَصْلُ فِي ذَلِكَ مَا al-Khaṭīb al-Baġdādī, al-Jāmiʿ li Akhlāq ʾl-Rāwī wa Ādāb ʾl-Sāmīʿ 1/97 الخطيب البغدادي، الجامع لأخلاق الراوي وآداب السامع ١/٩٧ https://shamela.ws/book/13012/51 Telegram: https://t.me/aljadwal Tumblr: https://al-jadwal.tumblr.com

[tumibaba]

Of all the time I spend in my gardens, the moments I find most memorable and meaningful are when the garden is enjoyed by others. Though typically brief, the moments—like photographic slides—mark seasonal progression, highlight the value of my labor, and crystallize ephemeral scenes that color how I remember my hard work. These visits are often from gardener friends, but sometimes I get a surprise drop-in from a variety of wild critters. Last weekend a perturbed screech owl desperately tried to escape a bevy of harrying songbirds by clambering into my upright juniper. Unfortunately for the owl, it didn’t work; the harrying continued! I’ve grown to particularly enjoy such unexpected appearances, especially those by birds, whose appearances, disappearances, and range of behaviors do a particularly good job of marketing the steady march of seasonal change and provide so much animation in garden spaces. It’s nice to see that your garden provides a feast beyond the visual, too. Selecting plants that supplies food for birds during the quieter winter months makes for easy winter interest in the garden and doesn’t add any cost to your garden practice. It also skirts the headaches associated with traditional bird feeders, ranging from cost of feed, increased rodents in the yard, and the possible increased spread of bird diseases. Learn more: Plants for the Birds in Your Region Broadly speaking, I approach gardening for winter bird feeding with three main groups of plants: Shrubs and trees with persistent berries Native grasses Annual and perennial flowers that produce lots of seed, especially in the aster (sunflower) family Shrubs and trees Persistent berries are those that hang on the plant after maturing. In most cases, such fruits dry on the plant and remain palatable for birds well into winter months as food becomes increasingly scarce. Chief among these are persistent crabapples (Malus spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9). Though not native, they are not problematic in wild spaces in the Rockies, and make easygoing, beautiful additions to yards with prodigal amounts of small pink, orange, or red fruits. They are also a piece of cake to find at your local nursery and are hardy to Zone 4. For those not in the market for a small tree, other options include many of our native shrubs, such as grape hollies (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 4–8), three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata, Zones 3–8), and smooth sumac (Rhus glabra, Zones 3–9). Top picks: Crabapples (Malus spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) Grape hollies (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 4–8) Three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata, Zones 3–8) Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra, Zones 3–9) Additional shrubs and trees providing good winter forage for seed-eating birds: Dwarf leadplant; small shrub, low water (Amorpha nana, Zones 3–7) Artemisia species Big sagebrush shrub, low water (Artemisia tridentata, Zone 3) Thread-leaf/sand sagebrush; shrub, low water (Artemisia filifolia, Zones 4–8) Berberis species, including: Shrubby grape holly; shrub, moderate water (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 5–8) Desert holly; shrub, low water (Berberis haematocarpa, Zones 5–9) Juniperus species, including: Common juniper; shrub, moderate water (Juniperus communis, Zones 3–6) One-seed juniper; tree, low water (Juniperus monosperma, Zones 4–8) Rocky mountain juniper; low water (Juniperus scopulorum, Zones 3–7) Pinus species (pines, ranging in size, hardiness, and water requirements) Native Grasses Often overlooked when considering birds, native grasses produce significant amounts of energy-rich seeds that many songbirds relish. A large number of our native grasses fit this bill, but few do so with such broad appeal as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, Zones 4–9), which provides a loose and airy spray of plump seeds above its foliage. Native across middle America, switchgrass plants are a cinch to grow so long as they receive modest irrigation, and are quite long-lived. As warm-season growers, they break dormancy in very late spring and flower in late summer. Cultivars range from the petite, roughly 3-foot-tall ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Cheyenne Sky’ to the downright massive, 6-foot-plus ‘Heavy Metal’ and ‘Dallas Blues’. None are aggressive seeders, and all are bunch grasses, so you don’t have to worry about them getting out of hand (or the bed you put them in). A number of cultivars of this grass feature attractive, red-blushed or metallic-silver foliage as well. Top pick: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, Zone 4) ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Cheyenne Sky’, ‘Heavy Metal’, and ‘Dallas Blues’ Additional native grasses providing winter forage for seed-eating birds: Big bluestem; moderate water (Andropogon gerardii, Zones 4 to 9) Bouteloua species Blue grama; low water (Bouteloua gracilis, Zones 3–10) Side-oats grama; low water (Bouteloua curtipendula, Zones 4–9) Little bluestem; moderate water (Schizachyrium scoparium, Zones 3–9) Golden feather/prairie grass; moderate to low water (Sorghastrum nutans, Zones 4–9) Annuals and Perennials: Grasses and fruits aside, many gardens and wildflowers provide good forage for our birds. Of all the plants I grow, one group remains a favorite: the sunflower family. This family can be quickly identified as having flowers that look like sunflowers (large or small), daisies, or aster-type flowers. They produce huge amounts of nutritious seed, much of which lasts into winter. For sites with moderate soil moisture or those with irrigation, frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum, Zones 3–9) makes an attractive, bird-valued option. The species keeps a low profile in spring but reaches 2 to 4 feet high by the time it blooms in early and mid-fall, topping its narrow, dark green leaves and stems with hundreds of dainty, white daisy-like flowers long after most plants have thrown in the towel for the year. The species can be seedy in soil conditions it finds favorable, especially soils with lots of irrigation or reliable moisture. So far, mine have been well-behaved in my minimally irrigated home beds, where I can watch juncos bounding beneath them, picking up their very fine, dustlike seed from the soil surface until snow cover settles in midwinter. Gardeners looking for something bigger can opt for larger perennial sunflowers: ‘Dakota Sunshine’ (Helianthus maximiliana ‘Dakota Sunshine’, Zones 3–8) is a particularly nice option for our region. While many perennial sunflowers hit their stride in early to mid-fall—by which time we often have a killing frost, preventing a bloom—‘Dakota Sunshine’ begins flowering in late summer. The selection, a joint introduction by High Country Gardens and Lauren Springer, reaches about 5 feet tall and produces a generous spray of saturated yellow “miniature sunflowers” in late summer. ‘Dakota Sunshine’ can self-sow, sometimes enthusiastically, depending on the conditions in your garden. So if in doubt, reserve this and other perennial sunflowers with similar tendencies for the “back 40,” where such behavior is welcome. You may have noticed a pattern with bird-feeding plants—many that provide the best forage are making the most seeds! Top picks: Frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum, Zones 3–9) Maximillian sunflower ‘Dakota Sunshine’ (Helianthus maximiliana ‘Dakota Sunshine’, Zones 3–8) Additional perennials and annuals providing good winter forage for seed-eating birds: Anise hyssop; perennial, moderate water (Agastache foeniculum, Zones 3–8) Prairie sage; perennial, low to moderate water (Artemisia ludoviciana, Zones 3–8) Rocky Mountain bee plant; annual, low water (Cleomella serrulata, most zones) Narrow-leaf coneflower; perennial, low water (Echinacea angustifolia, Zones 3–8) Purple coneflower; perennial, moderate water (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 4–9) Annual sunflower; annual, low water (Helianthus annuus, most zones) Bee balm; perennial, moderate water (Monarda fistulosa, Zones 4–9) Lemon bee balm; annual, moderate water (Monarda citriodora, most zones) Rough goldenrod; perennial, low water (Solidago rigida, Zones 3–8) Asters; perennial, moderate water (Symphyotrichum species, Zones 4–8) Black-eyed Susans; perennial, moderate water (Rudbeckia hybrids and species, Zones 4–9) Prairie coneflower; perennial, low water (Ratibida pinnata, Zones 4–8)   Discuss this article or ask gardening questions with a regional gardening expert on the Gardening Answers forum.   For more Mountain West regional reports, click here. Bryan Fischer lives and gardens at the intersection of the Great Plains and the Rockies. He is a horticulturist and the curator of plant collections for a local botanic garden.   All photos unless otherwise noted: Bryan Fischer Fine Gardening Recommended Products Buffalo-Style Gardens: Create a Quirky, One-of-a-Kind Private Garden with Eye-Catching Designs Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Buffalo-Style Gardens is a one-of-a-kind, offbeat garden design book that showcases the wildly inventive gardens and gardeners of Buffalo – and offers readers "the best of the best” ideas to use in their own small-space gardens. Monarch Butterfly Rescue Wildflower Seeds 4 oz. Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. HIGH QUALITY SEEDS and EXPERT GUIDANCE: Experience the quality seed difference. We are committed to providing the highest quality, open-pollinated, non-GMO/non-GE seeds to our customers, guaranteed. A trusted source of high quality seeds since 1985. ATTRACT MORE MONARCHS: We know seeds and we know pollinators! Our expertly crafted botanical garden seed mixes contain a wide variety of both perennials and annuals that are specifically designed to attract pollinators. Attract more Monarchs and Butterflies in general. Gardener tested, pollinator approved! All Of Our Wildflower Varieties Are 100% Pure Seed, They come with complete planting instructions. Compare and see the quality value. This Wildflower Seed Mix will make the perfect gift for those gardeners in your life. Source link

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Provision for One's Own Household

But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. — 1 Timothy 5:8 | English Revised Version (ERVB) The English Revised Version of the Holy Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: 1 Corinthians 6:6; 2 Timothy 2:12; 2 Timothy 3:5; Titus 1:16; 2 Peter 2:1; Jude 1:4; Revelation 2:13

[bentacled]

klaus hargreeves... “  i’m starting to think i’m just fucked up.  ” 

you're not, ben thinks immediately after a fractured mind has savoured the words, but pauses, for a moment, because he's not sure if @theseancekid will believe him. it hadn't been easy, their shared existence. it hadn't been easy, seeing his brother willing to do anything to quiet the ghosts that pursued him like leering wolves. it hadn't been easy, feeling the familiar prick of envy, when a cruel tongue designed the words you're wasting your life, and some of us don't have one anymore. the guilt had come later, it always came in waves that drowned him in life, but they weren't enough to rip the words out of an air that had stagnated his brother's lungs. he's not sure how things are between him and klaus now, not really. despite having lived together for years upon years, now that… now that everything has changed, he's not sure how klaus sees him. partly because he's never known, exactly, if klaus had known the reason why ben had stayed with him, all those years ago. it hadn't been out of fear of the light, unfinished business, or duty. no, simply… it'd been a decision made out of love, for as silly as it sounded. he hadn't wanted to, hadn't been able to, leave him behind. neither him nor his siblings, his family. it'd also been out of concern, of course, fearing that if he left klaus alone – the worst would happen, because as much as he loved his siblings, no one had taught them to care.

everything was different now, though, and he wondered if he'd ever formalised any of the thoughts that sped like trains through his brain. if klaus thought that, because they weren't bound together anymore, ben would simply... leave him. " you're not " he finally got the words out of his mouth, injecting as much conviction as he could into the simple syllables. he'd been disappointed in klaus so many times, he'd known he could be something so much better, that he could aspire to more than just hitting rock bottom after rock bottom, but he'd seldom considered the hauntings of the other's thoughts. " i'd know better than anyone, i had to put up with your sorry ass for years " he added, to take some of the seriousness out of the matter, though the ribbon of sincerity was still braided into the words. " you're doing the best you can, and i see that. we all see that. that's the most we can ask of you, klaus ".

[sscieloz]

HII BABES

[sscieloz]

TODAY!!!!!!!

[pipebombgf]

gender-affirming surgery is a months-long dark comedy. what the fuck do you mean you're charging me double for everything. what do you mean they itemize the bill by left and right ball. what the fuck.

[dashcon-two]

Prepare yourself.

[yeah-yeah-beebiss-1]

in case you were wondering how things went down at the pokemon world championships this weekend:

-during the top 8 of the TCG masters division, chilean player fernando cifuentes was running a gimmick deck that consisted exclusively of four iron thorns ex and a whole ton of control-focused trainer cards in a strategy that either completely shuts down opponents or shits the bed entirely

-through skillful play and some good luck, fernando made it through 2 days in a tournament with over 1100 players to get to the quarterfinals

-fernando lost 2-0 to ian robb, who was running regidrago vstar (widely considered one of the best decks in the current format)

-in an overexuberant victory celebration, ian did what can only be described as a jacking-off gesture, on a stream with tens of thousands of viewers run by a company with very firm player conduct expectations

-the judges determined that this warranted a penalty of game loss, but for some reason, rather than applying it to ian’s next game in the semifinals, they applied it to the one he had just won in the top 8

-(it should be noted that the prize money for making top 8 is $15k while top 4 is $20k, so this jerking gesture cost ian robb $5,000)

-nearly an hour after fernando came to terms with his loss and the end of an impressive run, he was told that he was to get back on stream because he’s now playing in the semifinals due to winning by default

-the player he was up against in the semifinals was playing a deck (miraidon) that happens to get shut down hard by iron thorns’s gimmick, so fernando wins the semifinals

-said player, jesse parker, had notably had an undefeated run throughout the whole tournament up to this point, and likely would have continued that streak had his intended semifinal opponent not gotten a game loss penalty for miming a lewd act on stream

-meanwhile, the other semifinal winner is japan’s seinosuke shiokawa, running a deck (roaring moon) that players had largely written off as underwhelming months ago

-the grand finals are on the following day, so saturday evening was abuzz with a lot of people baffled by the absurdity of the situation

-come sunday afternoon, the grand finals are set to begin, with fernando cifuentes running iron thorns and seinosuke shiokawa running roaring moon

-it should be noted here that the roaring moon deck doesn’t rely very much on abilities, so iron thorns’s gimmick has very little effect - this is basically an even matchup

-fernando wins the first game of the set, and seinosuke wins the second

-the third and final game of the set is a bonafide cheek-clencher, with both players reaching a state where a single KO will win the game, but fernando manages to clinch it at the last minute

-and that’s the story of how a guy pretending to jork it led to the first instance of a pokemon world champion who also lost the quarterfinals

[straightfromdachair]

Marcus The Barber with The Bow Tie explains the difference between being a trick and being a provider.

[tameblog]

Of all the time I spend in my gardens, the moments I find most memorable and meaningful are when the garden is enjoyed by others. Though typically brief, the moments—like photographic slides—mark seasonal progression, highlight the value of my labor, and crystallize ephemeral scenes that color how I remember my hard work. These visits are often from gardener friends, but sometimes I get a surprise drop-in from a variety of wild critters. Last weekend a perturbed screech owl desperately tried to escape a bevy of harrying songbirds by clambering into my upright juniper. Unfortunately for the owl, it didn’t work; the harrying continued! I’ve grown to particularly enjoy such unexpected appearances, especially those by birds, whose appearances, disappearances, and range of behaviors do a particularly good job of marketing the steady march of seasonal change and provide so much animation in garden spaces. It’s nice to see that your garden provides a feast beyond the visual, too. Selecting plants that supplies food for birds during the quieter winter months makes for easy winter interest in the garden and doesn’t add any cost to your garden practice. It also skirts the headaches associated with traditional bird feeders, ranging from cost of feed, increased rodents in the yard, and the possible increased spread of bird diseases. Learn more: Plants for the Birds in Your Region Broadly speaking, I approach gardening for winter bird feeding with three main groups of plants: Shrubs and trees with persistent berries Native grasses Annual and perennial flowers that produce lots of seed, especially in the aster (sunflower) family Shrubs and trees Persistent berries are those that hang on the plant after maturing. In most cases, such fruits dry on the plant and remain palatable for birds well into winter months as food becomes increasingly scarce. Chief among these are persistent crabapples (Malus spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9). Though not native, they are not problematic in wild spaces in the Rockies, and make easygoing, beautiful additions to yards with prodigal amounts of small pink, orange, or red fruits. They are also a piece of cake to find at your local nursery and are hardy to Zone 4. For those not in the market for a small tree, other options include many of our native shrubs, such as grape hollies (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 4–8), three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata, Zones 3–8), and smooth sumac (Rhus glabra, Zones 3–9). Top picks: Crabapples (Malus spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) Grape hollies (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 4–8) Three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata, Zones 3–8) Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra, Zones 3–9) Additional shrubs and trees providing good winter forage for seed-eating birds: Dwarf leadplant; small shrub, low water (Amorpha nana, Zones 3–7) Artemisia species Big sagebrush shrub, low water (Artemisia tridentata, Zone 3) Thread-leaf/sand sagebrush; shrub, low water (Artemisia filifolia, Zones 4–8) Berberis species, including: Shrubby grape holly; shrub, moderate water (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 5–8) Desert holly; shrub, low water (Berberis haematocarpa, Zones 5–9) Juniperus species, including: Common juniper; shrub, moderate water (Juniperus communis, Zones 3–6) One-seed juniper; tree, low water (Juniperus monosperma, Zones 4–8) Rocky mountain juniper; low water (Juniperus scopulorum, Zones 3–7) Pinus species (pines, ranging in size, hardiness, and water requirements) Native Grasses Often overlooked when considering birds, native grasses produce significant amounts of energy-rich seeds that many songbirds relish. A large number of our native grasses fit this bill, but few do so with such broad appeal as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, Zones 4–9), which provides a loose and airy spray of plump seeds above its foliage. Native across middle America, switchgrass plants are a cinch to grow so long as they receive modest irrigation, and are quite long-lived. As warm-season growers, they break dormancy in very late spring and flower in late summer. Cultivars range from the petite, roughly 3-foot-tall ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Cheyenne Sky’ to the downright massive, 6-foot-plus ‘Heavy Metal’ and ‘Dallas Blues’. None are aggressive seeders, and all are bunch grasses, so you don’t have to worry about them getting out of hand (or the bed you put them in). A number of cultivars of this grass feature attractive, red-blushed or metallic-silver foliage as well. Top pick: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, Zone 4) ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Cheyenne Sky’, ‘Heavy Metal’, and ‘Dallas Blues’ Additional native grasses providing winter forage for seed-eating birds: Big bluestem; moderate water (Andropogon gerardii, Zones 4 to 9) Bouteloua species Blue grama; low water (Bouteloua gracilis, Zones 3–10) Side-oats grama; low water (Bouteloua curtipendula, Zones 4–9) Little bluestem; moderate water (Schizachyrium scoparium, Zones 3–9) Golden feather/prairie grass; moderate to low water (Sorghastrum nutans, Zones 4–9) Annuals and Perennials: Grasses and fruits aside, many gardens and wildflowers provide good forage for our birds. Of all the plants I grow, one group remains a favorite: the sunflower family. This family can be quickly identified as having flowers that look like sunflowers (large or small), daisies, or aster-type flowers. They produce huge amounts of nutritious seed, much of which lasts into winter. For sites with moderate soil moisture or those with irrigation, frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum, Zones 3–9) makes an attractive, bird-valued option. The species keeps a low profile in spring but reaches 2 to 4 feet high by the time it blooms in early and mid-fall, topping its narrow, dark green leaves and stems with hundreds of dainty, white daisy-like flowers long after most plants have thrown in the towel for the year. The species can be seedy in soil conditions it finds favorable, especially soils with lots of irrigation or reliable moisture. So far, mine have been well-behaved in my minimally irrigated home beds, where I can watch juncos bounding beneath them, picking up their very fine, dustlike seed from the soil surface until snow cover settles in midwinter. Gardeners looking for something bigger can opt for larger perennial sunflowers: ‘Dakota Sunshine’ (Helianthus maximiliana ‘Dakota Sunshine’, Zones 3–8) is a particularly nice option for our region. While many perennial sunflowers hit their stride in early to mid-fall—by which time we often have a killing frost, preventing a bloom—‘Dakota Sunshine’ begins flowering in late summer. The selection, a joint introduction by High Country Gardens and Lauren Springer, reaches about 5 feet tall and produces a generous spray of saturated yellow “miniature sunflowers” in late summer. ‘Dakota Sunshine’ can self-sow, sometimes enthusiastically, depending on the conditions in your garden. So if in doubt, reserve this and other perennial sunflowers with similar tendencies for the “back 40,” where such behavior is welcome. You may have noticed a pattern with bird-feeding plants—many that provide the best forage are making the most seeds! Top picks: Frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum, Zones 3–9) Maximillian sunflower ‘Dakota Sunshine’ (Helianthus maximiliana ‘Dakota Sunshine’, Zones 3–8) Additional perennials and annuals providing good winter forage for seed-eating birds: Anise hyssop; perennial, moderate water (Agastache foeniculum, Zones 3–8) Prairie sage; perennial, low to moderate water (Artemisia ludoviciana, Zones 3–8) Rocky Mountain bee plant; annual, low water (Cleomella serrulata, most zones) Narrow-leaf coneflower; perennial, low water (Echinacea angustifolia, Zones 3–8) Purple coneflower; perennial, moderate water (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 4–9) Annual sunflower; annual, low water (Helianthus annuus, most zones) Bee balm; perennial, moderate water (Monarda fistulosa, Zones 4–9) Lemon bee balm; annual, moderate water (Monarda citriodora, most zones) Rough goldenrod; perennial, low water (Solidago rigida, Zones 3–8) Asters; perennial, moderate water (Symphyotrichum species, Zones 4–8) Black-eyed Susans; perennial, moderate water (Rudbeckia hybrids and species, Zones 4–9) Prairie coneflower; perennial, low water (Ratibida pinnata, Zones 4–8)   Discuss this article or ask gardening questions with a regional gardening expert on the Gardening Answers forum.   For more Mountain West regional reports, click here. Bryan Fischer lives and gardens at the intersection of the Great Plains and the Rockies. He is a horticulturist and the curator of plant collections for a local botanic garden.   All photos unless otherwise noted: Bryan Fischer Fine Gardening Recommended Products Buffalo-Style Gardens: Create a Quirky, One-of-a-Kind Private Garden with Eye-Catching Designs Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Buffalo-Style Gardens is a one-of-a-kind, offbeat garden design book that showcases the wildly inventive gardens and gardeners of Buffalo – and offers readers "the best of the best” ideas to use in their own small-space gardens. Monarch Butterfly Rescue Wildflower Seeds 4 oz. Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. HIGH QUALITY SEEDS and EXPERT GUIDANCE: Experience the quality seed difference. We are committed to providing the highest quality, open-pollinated, non-GMO/non-GE seeds to our customers, guaranteed. A trusted source of high quality seeds since 1985. ATTRACT MORE MONARCHS: We know seeds and we know pollinators! Our expertly crafted botanical garden seed mixes contain a wide variety of both perennials and annuals that are specifically designed to attract pollinators. Attract more Monarchs and Butterflies in general. Gardener tested, pollinator approved! All Of Our Wildflower Varieties Are 100% Pure Seed, They come with complete planting instructions. Compare and see the quality value. This Wildflower Seed Mix will make the perfect gift for those gardeners in your life. Source link

[ramestoryworld]

Of all the time I spend in my gardens, the moments I find most memorable and meaningful are when the garden is enjoyed by others. Though typically brief, the moments—like photographic slides—mark seasonal progression, highlight the value of my labor, and crystallize ephemeral scenes that color how I remember my hard work. These visits are often from gardener friends, but sometimes I get a surprise drop-in from a variety of wild critters. Last weekend a perturbed screech owl desperately tried to escape a bevy of harrying songbirds by clambering into my upright juniper. Unfortunately for the owl, it didn’t work; the harrying continued! I’ve grown to particularly enjoy such unexpected appearances, especially those by birds, whose appearances, disappearances, and range of behaviors do a particularly good job of marketing the steady march of seasonal change and provide so much animation in garden spaces. It’s nice to see that your garden provides a feast beyond the visual, too. Selecting plants that supplies food for birds during the quieter winter months makes for easy winter interest in the garden and doesn’t add any cost to your garden practice. It also skirts the headaches associated with traditional bird feeders, ranging from cost of feed, increased rodents in the yard, and the possible increased spread of bird diseases. Learn more: Plants for the Birds in Your Region Broadly speaking, I approach gardening for winter bird feeding with three main groups of plants: Shrubs and trees with persistent berries Native grasses Annual and perennial flowers that produce lots of seed, especially in the aster (sunflower) family Shrubs and trees Persistent berries are those that hang on the plant after maturing. In most cases, such fruits dry on the plant and remain palatable for birds well into winter months as food becomes increasingly scarce. Chief among these are persistent crabapples (Malus spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9). Though not native, they are not problematic in wild spaces in the Rockies, and make easygoing, beautiful additions to yards with prodigal amounts of small pink, orange, or red fruits. They are also a piece of cake to find at your local nursery and are hardy to Zone 4. For those not in the market for a small tree, other options include many of our native shrubs, such as grape hollies (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 4–8), three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata, Zones 3–8), and smooth sumac (Rhus glabra, Zones 3–9). Top picks: Crabapples (Malus spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) Grape hollies (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 4–8) Three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata, Zones 3–8) Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra, Zones 3–9) Additional shrubs and trees providing good winter forage for seed-eating birds: Dwarf leadplant; small shrub, low water (Amorpha nana, Zones 3–7) Artemisia species Big sagebrush shrub, low water (Artemisia tridentata, Zone 3) Thread-leaf/sand sagebrush; shrub, low water (Artemisia filifolia, Zones 4–8) Berberis species, including: Shrubby grape holly; shrub, moderate water (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 5–8) Desert holly; shrub, low water (Berberis haematocarpa, Zones 5–9) Juniperus species, including: Common juniper; shrub, moderate water (Juniperus communis, Zones 3–6) One-seed juniper; tree, low water (Juniperus monosperma, Zones 4–8) Rocky mountain juniper; low water (Juniperus scopulorum, Zones 3–7) Pinus species (pines, ranging in size, hardiness, and water requirements) Native Grasses Often overlooked when considering birds, native grasses produce significant amounts of energy-rich seeds that many songbirds relish. A large number of our native grasses fit this bill, but few do so with such broad appeal as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, Zones 4–9), which provides a loose and airy spray of plump seeds above its foliage. Native across middle America, switchgrass plants are a cinch to grow so long as they receive modest irrigation, and are quite long-lived. As warm-season growers, they break dormancy in very late spring and flower in late summer. Cultivars range from the petite, roughly 3-foot-tall ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Cheyenne Sky’ to the downright massive, 6-foot-plus ‘Heavy Metal’ and ‘Dallas Blues’. None are aggressive seeders, and all are bunch grasses, so you don’t have to worry about them getting out of hand (or the bed you put them in). A number of cultivars of this grass feature attractive, red-blushed or metallic-silver foliage as well. Top pick: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, Zone 4) ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Cheyenne Sky’, ‘Heavy Metal’, and ‘Dallas Blues’ Additional native grasses providing winter forage for seed-eating birds: Big bluestem; moderate water (Andropogon gerardii, Zones 4 to 9) Bouteloua species Blue grama; low water (Bouteloua gracilis, Zones 3–10) Side-oats grama; low water (Bouteloua curtipendula, Zones 4–9) Little bluestem; moderate water (Schizachyrium scoparium, Zones 3–9) Golden feather/prairie grass; moderate to low water (Sorghastrum nutans, Zones 4–9) Annuals and Perennials: Grasses and fruits aside, many gardens and wildflowers provide good forage for our birds. Of all the plants I grow, one group remains a favorite: the sunflower family. This family can be quickly identified as having flowers that look like sunflowers (large or small), daisies, or aster-type flowers. They produce huge amounts of nutritious seed, much of which lasts into winter. For sites with moderate soil moisture or those with irrigation, frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum, Zones 3–9) makes an attractive, bird-valued option. The species keeps a low profile in spring but reaches 2 to 4 feet high by the time it blooms in early and mid-fall, topping its narrow, dark green leaves and stems with hundreds of dainty, white daisy-like flowers long after most plants have thrown in the towel for the year. The species can be seedy in soil conditions it finds favorable, especially soils with lots of irrigation or reliable moisture. So far, mine have been well-behaved in my minimally irrigated home beds, where I can watch juncos bounding beneath them, picking up their very fine, dustlike seed from the soil surface until snow cover settles in midwinter. Gardeners looking for something bigger can opt for larger perennial sunflowers: ‘Dakota Sunshine’ (Helianthus maximiliana ‘Dakota Sunshine’, Zones 3–8) is a particularly nice option for our region. While many perennial sunflowers hit their stride in early to mid-fall—by which time we often have a killing frost, preventing a bloom—‘Dakota Sunshine’ begins flowering in late summer. The selection, a joint introduction by High Country Gardens and Lauren Springer, reaches about 5 feet tall and produces a generous spray of saturated yellow “miniature sunflowers” in late summer. ‘Dakota Sunshine’ can self-sow, sometimes enthusiastically, depending on the conditions in your garden. So if in doubt, reserve this and other perennial sunflowers with similar tendencies for the “back 40,” where such behavior is welcome. You may have noticed a pattern with bird-feeding plants—many that provide the best forage are making the most seeds! Top picks: Frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum, Zones 3–9) Maximillian sunflower ‘Dakota Sunshine’ (Helianthus maximiliana ‘Dakota Sunshine’, Zones 3–8) Additional perennials and annuals providing good winter forage for seed-eating birds: Anise hyssop; perennial, moderate water (Agastache foeniculum, Zones 3–8) Prairie sage; perennial, low to moderate water (Artemisia ludoviciana, Zones 3–8) Rocky Mountain bee plant; annual, low water (Cleomella serrulata, most zones) Narrow-leaf coneflower; perennial, low water (Echinacea angustifolia, Zones 3–8) Purple coneflower; perennial, moderate water (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 4–9) Annual sunflower; annual, low water (Helianthus annuus, most zones) Bee balm; perennial, moderate water (Monarda fistulosa, Zones 4–9) Lemon bee balm; annual, moderate water (Monarda citriodora, most zones) Rough goldenrod; perennial, low water (Solidago rigida, Zones 3–8) Asters; perennial, moderate water (Symphyotrichum species, Zones 4–8) Black-eyed Susans; perennial, moderate water (Rudbeckia hybrids and species, Zones 4–9) Prairie coneflower; perennial, low water (Ratibida pinnata, Zones 4–8)   Discuss this article or ask gardening questions with a regional gardening expert on the Gardening Answers forum.   For more Mountain West regional reports, click here. Bryan Fischer lives and gardens at the intersection of the Great Plains and the Rockies. He is a horticulturist and the curator of plant collections for a local botanic garden.   All photos unless otherwise noted: Bryan Fischer Fine Gardening Recommended Products Buffalo-Style Gardens: Create a Quirky, One-of-a-Kind Private Garden with Eye-Catching Designs Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Buffalo-Style Gardens is a one-of-a-kind, offbeat garden design book that showcases the wildly inventive gardens and gardeners of Buffalo – and offers readers "the best of the best” ideas to use in their own small-space gardens. Monarch Butterfly Rescue Wildflower Seeds 4 oz. Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. HIGH QUALITY SEEDS and EXPERT GUIDANCE: Experience the quality seed difference. We are committed to providing the highest quality, open-pollinated, non-GMO/non-GE seeds to our customers, guaranteed. A trusted source of high quality seeds since 1985. ATTRACT MORE MONARCHS: We know seeds and we know pollinators! Our expertly crafted botanical garden seed mixes contain a wide variety of both perennials and annuals that are specifically designed to attract pollinators. Attract more Monarchs and Butterflies in general. Gardener tested, pollinator approved! All Of Our Wildflower Varieties Are 100% Pure Seed, They come with complete planting instructions. Compare and see the quality value. This Wildflower Seed Mix will make the perfect gift for those gardeners in your life. Source link

[sscieloz]

😭 my babes rlly are starved for yunjin… i might have an old req in the drafts, I’ll work on that to feed you smth🌹

[alexha2210]

Of all the time I spend in my gardens, the moments I find most memorable and meaningful are when the garden is enjoyed by others. Though typically brief, the moments—like photographic slides—mark seasonal progression, highlight the value of my labor, and crystallize ephemeral scenes that color how I remember my hard work. These visits are often from gardener friends, but sometimes I get a surprise drop-in from a variety of wild critters. Last weekend a perturbed screech owl desperately tried to escape a bevy of harrying songbirds by clambering into my upright juniper. Unfortunately for the owl, it didn’t work; the harrying continued! I’ve grown to particularly enjoy such unexpected appearances, especially those by birds, whose appearances, disappearances, and range of behaviors do a particularly good job of marketing the steady march of seasonal change and provide so much animation in garden spaces. It’s nice to see that your garden provides a feast beyond the visual, too. Selecting plants that supplies food for birds during the quieter winter months makes for easy winter interest in the garden and doesn’t add any cost to your garden practice. It also skirts the headaches associated with traditional bird feeders, ranging from cost of feed, increased rodents in the yard, and the possible increased spread of bird diseases. Learn more: Plants for the Birds in Your Region Broadly speaking, I approach gardening for winter bird feeding with three main groups of plants: Shrubs and trees with persistent berries Native grasses Annual and perennial flowers that produce lots of seed, especially in the aster (sunflower) family Shrubs and trees Persistent berries are those that hang on the plant after maturing. In most cases, such fruits dry on the plant and remain palatable for birds well into winter months as food becomes increasingly scarce. Chief among these are persistent crabapples (Malus spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9). Though not native, they are not problematic in wild spaces in the Rockies, and make easygoing, beautiful additions to yards with prodigal amounts of small pink, orange, or red fruits. They are also a piece of cake to find at your local nursery and are hardy to Zone 4. For those not in the market for a small tree, other options include many of our native shrubs, such as grape hollies (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 4–8), three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata, Zones 3–8), and smooth sumac (Rhus glabra, Zones 3–9). Top picks: Crabapples (Malus spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) Grape hollies (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 4–8) Three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata, Zones 3–8) Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra, Zones 3–9) Additional shrubs and trees providing good winter forage for seed-eating birds: Dwarf leadplant; small shrub, low water (Amorpha nana, Zones 3–7) Artemisia species Big sagebrush shrub, low water (Artemisia tridentata, Zone 3) Thread-leaf/sand sagebrush; shrub, low water (Artemisia filifolia, Zones 4–8) Berberis species, including: Shrubby grape holly; shrub, moderate water (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 5–8) Desert holly; shrub, low water (Berberis haematocarpa, Zones 5–9) Juniperus species, including: Common juniper; shrub, moderate water (Juniperus communis, Zones 3–6) One-seed juniper; tree, low water (Juniperus monosperma, Zones 4–8) Rocky mountain juniper; low water (Juniperus scopulorum, Zones 3–7) Pinus species (pines, ranging in size, hardiness, and water requirements) Native Grasses Often overlooked when considering birds, native grasses produce significant amounts of energy-rich seeds that many songbirds relish. A large number of our native grasses fit this bill, but few do so with such broad appeal as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, Zones 4–9), which provides a loose and airy spray of plump seeds above its foliage. Native across middle America, switchgrass plants are a cinch to grow so long as they receive modest irrigation, and are quite long-lived. As warm-season growers, they break dormancy in very late spring and flower in late summer. Cultivars range from the petite, roughly 3-foot-tall ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Cheyenne Sky’ to the downright massive, 6-foot-plus ‘Heavy Metal’ and ‘Dallas Blues’. None are aggressive seeders, and all are bunch grasses, so you don’t have to worry about them getting out of hand (or the bed you put them in). A number of cultivars of this grass feature attractive, red-blushed or metallic-silver foliage as well. Top pick: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, Zone 4) ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Cheyenne Sky’, ‘Heavy Metal’, and ‘Dallas Blues’ Additional native grasses providing winter forage for seed-eating birds: Big bluestem; moderate water (Andropogon gerardii, Zones 4 to 9) Bouteloua species Blue grama; low water (Bouteloua gracilis, Zones 3–10) Side-oats grama; low water (Bouteloua curtipendula, Zones 4–9) Little bluestem; moderate water (Schizachyrium scoparium, Zones 3–9) Golden feather/prairie grass; moderate to low water (Sorghastrum nutans, Zones 4–9) Annuals and Perennials: Grasses and fruits aside, many gardens and wildflowers provide good forage for our birds. Of all the plants I grow, one group remains a favorite: the sunflower family. This family can be quickly identified as having flowers that look like sunflowers (large or small), daisies, or aster-type flowers. They produce huge amounts of nutritious seed, much of which lasts into winter. For sites with moderate soil moisture or those with irrigation, frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum, Zones 3–9) makes an attractive, bird-valued option. The species keeps a low profile in spring but reaches 2 to 4 feet high by the time it blooms in early and mid-fall, topping its narrow, dark green leaves and stems with hundreds of dainty, white daisy-like flowers long after most plants have thrown in the towel for the year. The species can be seedy in soil conditions it finds favorable, especially soils with lots of irrigation or reliable moisture. So far, mine have been well-behaved in my minimally irrigated home beds, where I can watch juncos bounding beneath them, picking up their very fine, dustlike seed from the soil surface until snow cover settles in midwinter. Gardeners looking for something bigger can opt for larger perennial sunflowers: ‘Dakota Sunshine’ (Helianthus maximiliana ‘Dakota Sunshine’, Zones 3–8) is a particularly nice option for our region. While many perennial sunflowers hit their stride in early to mid-fall—by which time we often have a killing frost, preventing a bloom—‘Dakota Sunshine’ begins flowering in late summer. The selection, a joint introduction by High Country Gardens and Lauren Springer, reaches about 5 feet tall and produces a generous spray of saturated yellow “miniature sunflowers” in late summer. ‘Dakota Sunshine’ can self-sow, sometimes enthusiastically, depending on the conditions in your garden. So if in doubt, reserve this and other perennial sunflowers with similar tendencies for the “back 40,” where such behavior is welcome. You may have noticed a pattern with bird-feeding plants—many that provide the best forage are making the most seeds! Top picks: Frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum, Zones 3–9) Maximillian sunflower ‘Dakota Sunshine’ (Helianthus maximiliana ‘Dakota Sunshine’, Zones 3–8) Additional perennials and annuals providing good winter forage for seed-eating birds: Anise hyssop; perennial, moderate water (Agastache foeniculum, Zones 3–8) Prairie sage; perennial, low to moderate water (Artemisia ludoviciana, Zones 3–8) Rocky Mountain bee plant; annual, low water (Cleomella serrulata, most zones) Narrow-leaf coneflower; perennial, low water (Echinacea angustifolia, Zones 3–8) Purple coneflower; perennial, moderate water (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 4–9) Annual sunflower; annual, low water (Helianthus annuus, most zones) Bee balm; perennial, moderate water (Monarda fistulosa, Zones 4–9) Lemon bee balm; annual, moderate water (Monarda citriodora, most zones) Rough goldenrod; perennial, low water (Solidago rigida, Zones 3–8) Asters; perennial, moderate water (Symphyotrichum species, Zones 4–8) Black-eyed Susans; perennial, moderate water (Rudbeckia hybrids and species, Zones 4–9) Prairie coneflower; perennial, low water (Ratibida pinnata, Zones 4–8)   Discuss this article or ask gardening questions with a regional gardening expert on the Gardening Answers forum.   For more Mountain West regional reports, click here. Bryan Fischer lives and gardens at the intersection of the Great Plains and the Rockies. He is a horticulturist and the curator of plant collections for a local botanic garden.   All photos unless otherwise noted: Bryan Fischer Fine Gardening Recommended Products Buffalo-Style Gardens: Create a Quirky, One-of-a-Kind Private Garden with Eye-Catching Designs Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Buffalo-Style Gardens is a one-of-a-kind, offbeat garden design book that showcases the wildly inventive gardens and gardeners of Buffalo – and offers readers "the best of the best” ideas to use in their own small-space gardens. Monarch Butterfly Rescue Wildflower Seeds 4 oz. Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. HIGH QUALITY SEEDS and EXPERT GUIDANCE: Experience the quality seed difference. We are committed to providing the highest quality, open-pollinated, non-GMO/non-GE seeds to our customers, guaranteed. A trusted source of high quality seeds since 1985. ATTRACT MORE MONARCHS: We know seeds and we know pollinators! Our expertly crafted botanical garden seed mixes contain a wide variety of both perennials and annuals that are specifically designed to attract pollinators. Attract more Monarchs and Butterflies in general. Gardener tested, pollinator approved! All Of Our Wildflower Varieties Are 100% Pure Seed, They come with complete planting instructions. Compare and see the quality value. This Wildflower Seed Mix will make the perfect gift for those gardeners in your life. Source link

[angusstory]

Of all the time I spend in my gardens, the moments I find most memorable and meaningful are when the garden is enjoyed by others. Though typically brief, the moments—like photographic slides—mark seasonal progression, highlight the value of my labor, and crystallize ephemeral scenes that color how I remember my hard work. These visits are often from gardener friends, but sometimes I get a surprise drop-in from a variety of wild critters. Last weekend a perturbed screech owl desperately tried to escape a bevy of harrying songbirds by clambering into my upright juniper. Unfortunately for the owl, it didn’t work; the harrying continued! I’ve grown to particularly enjoy such unexpected appearances, especially those by birds, whose appearances, disappearances, and range of behaviors do a particularly good job of marketing the steady march of seasonal change and provide so much animation in garden spaces. It’s nice to see that your garden provides a feast beyond the visual, too. Selecting plants that supplies food for birds during the quieter winter months makes for easy winter interest in the garden and doesn’t add any cost to your garden practice. It also skirts the headaches associated with traditional bird feeders, ranging from cost of feed, increased rodents in the yard, and the possible increased spread of bird diseases. Learn more: Plants for the Birds in Your Region Broadly speaking, I approach gardening for winter bird feeding with three main groups of plants: Shrubs and trees with persistent berries Native grasses Annual and perennial flowers that produce lots of seed, especially in the aster (sunflower) family Shrubs and trees Persistent berries are those that hang on the plant after maturing. In most cases, such fruits dry on the plant and remain palatable for birds well into winter months as food becomes increasingly scarce. Chief among these are persistent crabapples (Malus spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9). Though not native, they are not problematic in wild spaces in the Rockies, and make easygoing, beautiful additions to yards with prodigal amounts of small pink, orange, or red fruits. They are also a piece of cake to find at your local nursery and are hardy to Zone 4. For those not in the market for a small tree, other options include many of our native shrubs, such as grape hollies (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 4–8), three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata, Zones 3–8), and smooth sumac (Rhus glabra, Zones 3–9). Top picks: Crabapples (Malus spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) Grape hollies (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 4–8) Three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata, Zones 3–8) Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra, Zones 3–9) Additional shrubs and trees providing good winter forage for seed-eating birds: Dwarf leadplant; small shrub, low water (Amorpha nana, Zones 3–7) Artemisia species Big sagebrush shrub, low water (Artemisia tridentata, Zone 3) Thread-leaf/sand sagebrush; shrub, low water (Artemisia filifolia, Zones 4–8) Berberis species, including: Shrubby grape holly; shrub, moderate water (Berberis aquifolium, Zones 5–8) Desert holly; shrub, low water (Berberis haematocarpa, Zones 5–9) Juniperus species, including: Common juniper; shrub, moderate water (Juniperus communis, Zones 3–6) One-seed juniper; tree, low water (Juniperus monosperma, Zones 4–8) Rocky mountain juniper; low water (Juniperus scopulorum, Zones 3–7) Pinus species (pines, ranging in size, hardiness, and water requirements) Native Grasses Often overlooked when considering birds, native grasses produce significant amounts of energy-rich seeds that many songbirds relish. A large number of our native grasses fit this bill, but few do so with such broad appeal as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, Zones 4–9), which provides a loose and airy spray of plump seeds above its foliage. Native across middle America, switchgrass plants are a cinch to grow so long as they receive modest irrigation, and are quite long-lived. As warm-season growers, they break dormancy in very late spring and flower in late summer. Cultivars range from the petite, roughly 3-foot-tall ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Cheyenne Sky’ to the downright massive, 6-foot-plus ‘Heavy Metal’ and ‘Dallas Blues’. None are aggressive seeders, and all are bunch grasses, so you don’t have to worry about them getting out of hand (or the bed you put them in). A number of cultivars of this grass feature attractive, red-blushed or metallic-silver foliage as well. Top pick: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, Zone 4) ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Cheyenne Sky’, ‘Heavy Metal’, and ‘Dallas Blues’ Additional native grasses providing winter forage for seed-eating birds: Big bluestem; moderate water (Andropogon gerardii, Zones 4 to 9) Bouteloua species Blue grama; low water (Bouteloua gracilis, Zones 3–10) Side-oats grama; low water (Bouteloua curtipendula, Zones 4–9) Little bluestem; moderate water (Schizachyrium scoparium, Zones 3–9) Golden feather/prairie grass; moderate to low water (Sorghastrum nutans, Zones 4–9) Annuals and Perennials: Grasses and fruits aside, many gardens and wildflowers provide good forage for our birds. Of all the plants I grow, one group remains a favorite: the sunflower family. This family can be quickly identified as having flowers that look like sunflowers (large or small), daisies, or aster-type flowers. They produce huge amounts of nutritious seed, much of which lasts into winter. For sites with moderate soil moisture or those with irrigation, frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum, Zones 3–9) makes an attractive, bird-valued option. The species keeps a low profile in spring but reaches 2 to 4 feet high by the time it blooms in early and mid-fall, topping its narrow, dark green leaves and stems with hundreds of dainty, white daisy-like flowers long after most plants have thrown in the towel for the year. The species can be seedy in soil conditions it finds favorable, especially soils with lots of irrigation or reliable moisture. So far, mine have been well-behaved in my minimally irrigated home beds, where I can watch juncos bounding beneath them, picking up their very fine, dustlike seed from the soil surface until snow cover settles in midwinter. Gardeners looking for something bigger can opt for larger perennial sunflowers: ‘Dakota Sunshine’ (Helianthus maximiliana ‘Dakota Sunshine’, Zones 3–8) is a particularly nice option for our region. While many perennial sunflowers hit their stride in early to mid-fall—by which time we often have a killing frost, preventing a bloom—‘Dakota Sunshine’ begins flowering in late summer. The selection, a joint introduction by High Country Gardens and Lauren Springer, reaches about 5 feet tall and produces a generous spray of saturated yellow “miniature sunflowers” in late summer. ‘Dakota Sunshine’ can self-sow, sometimes enthusiastically, depending on the conditions in your garden. So if in doubt, reserve this and other perennial sunflowers with similar tendencies for the “back 40,” where such behavior is welcome. You may have noticed a pattern with bird-feeding plants—many that provide the best forage are making the most seeds! Top picks: Frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum, Zones 3–9) Maximillian sunflower ‘Dakota Sunshine’ (Helianthus maximiliana ‘Dakota Sunshine’, Zones 3–8) Additional perennials and annuals providing good winter forage for seed-eating birds: Anise hyssop; perennial, moderate water (Agastache foeniculum, Zones 3–8) Prairie sage; perennial, low to moderate water (Artemisia ludoviciana, Zones 3–8) Rocky Mountain bee plant; annual, low water (Cleomella serrulata, most zones) Narrow-leaf coneflower; perennial, low water (Echinacea angustifolia, Zones 3–8) Purple coneflower; perennial, moderate water (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 4–9) Annual sunflower; annual, low water (Helianthus annuus, most zones) Bee balm; perennial, moderate water (Monarda fistulosa, Zones 4–9) Lemon bee balm; annual, moderate water (Monarda citriodora, most zones) Rough goldenrod; perennial, low water (Solidago rigida, Zones 3–8) Asters; perennial, moderate water (Symphyotrichum species, Zones 4–8) Black-eyed Susans; perennial, moderate water (Rudbeckia hybrids and species, Zones 4–9) Prairie coneflower; perennial, low water (Ratibida pinnata, Zones 4–8)   Discuss this article or ask gardening questions with a regional gardening expert on the Gardening Answers forum.   For more Mountain West regional reports, click here. Bryan Fischer lives and gardens at the intersection of the Great Plains and the Rockies. He is a horticulturist and the curator of plant collections for a local botanic garden.   All photos unless otherwise noted: Bryan Fischer Fine Gardening Recommended Products Buffalo-Style Gardens: Create a Quirky, One-of-a-Kind Private Garden with Eye-Catching Designs Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Buffalo-Style Gardens is a one-of-a-kind, offbeat garden design book that showcases the wildly inventive gardens and gardeners of Buffalo – and offers readers "the best of the best” ideas to use in their own small-space gardens. Monarch Butterfly Rescue Wildflower Seeds 4 oz. Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. HIGH QUALITY SEEDS and EXPERT GUIDANCE: Experience the quality seed difference. We are committed to providing the highest quality, open-pollinated, non-GMO/non-GE seeds to our customers, guaranteed. A trusted source of high quality seeds since 1985. ATTRACT MORE MONARCHS: We know seeds and we know pollinators! Our expertly crafted botanical garden seed mixes contain a wide variety of both perennials and annuals that are specifically designed to attract pollinators. Attract more Monarchs and Butterflies in general. Gardener tested, pollinator approved! All Of Our Wildflower Varieties Are 100% Pure Seed, They come with complete planting instructions. Compare and see the quality value. This Wildflower Seed Mix will make the perfect gift for those gardeners in your life. Source link