Here are my quiet “fireworks” for the 4th. There are way too many sensitive ears in my house for the loud variety.

I planted so many bask flower seeds and despite the massive spring rains, I have one, and only one bloom. Maybe more will burst forth as summer progresses. We can hope.

I quite like thistles. I like the symmetry and aesthetics of the blooms, as well as the nice complementary color scheme. I’m not so found of walking through prickly vegetation or wrenching the thorny stems and leaves from the lawn, but on the edge of a meadow with the forest background, they are quite lovely. I particularly like the curly leafed thistle because the foliage is slightly silvery. The thistle pictured, though, is probably a Texas thistle. Also still pleasing and since it is growing out on the edge away from walk ways, it can continue it’s lovely prickly existence. Here is an interesting post about native and invasive thistles in Texas.

This spring we planted some red columbines to go with the yellow columbines. The idea is to have a little glade of multi-color columbines under the front trees, since the yellow variety like it so much out there. The blooms on these two color columbines are more downward facing, like little chandeliers. Hm.