Lesser Ripening - Safflowers Bloom

Last Monday there was a disruption in our normal garden tasks, so we had a half day opportunity to explore. The practice of packing our lunches in a picnic basket and traveling with extra blankets in the van makes such opportunities more enjoyable.

Shortly we found ourselves entering Chiwaukee Prairie. Located in Wisconsin between Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie, this 490 stretch of prairie is protected nowadays by the Wisconsin DNR, the Nature Conservancy, and local landowners. It was planned to be developed in the 1920’s for private gain, but plans fell through and nature’s coastal prairie inhabitants were free to call and respond to one another, largely undisturbed by humans.

As we began our walk, we targeted a faraway splotch of land, however, it took us mere steps to get distracted. That is the magic of a healthy prairie, subtle surprises and modest musings. 

“Whoa we have this in our garden! Wait, I’ve never seen this before and it’s blooming everywhere!” These were easy, engaging and repeated exclamations. Scurrying along, identifying every other plant, and admiring all, I soon became overwhelmed. Humbly overwhelmed. Wonderfully overwhelmed.

Common Spikerush flowering, Eleocharis palustris.

Scale and proportions move in and out of balance across the land, and within a handful of earth, the fine sandy soil felt promising of a rich life ahead.

And in these moments my mind can be utterly free.

This thought among others arose.

Often I feel like an outsider when in large social settings because I’ve been spending most of my waking hours conversing with plants. An acknowledgment and identification of an area I would like to see personal growth. I lend my ears to honesty and plants help key in my attention to universal softness and truths. 

As a trade off, I am slow and apprehensive to launch a conversation with most people. 

Somehow I think prairies may feel similarly.

Of the primula family, Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia) with stunning views front to back.

Basal foliage of Shooting Star, Dodecatheon meadia.

Shooting Star and Meadow Rue (Dodecatheon meadia and Thalictrum dasycarpum).

When was the last time you listened to a prairie? Or brought your worries and vulnerabilities to the surface amid a sea of Shooting Stars? How do you play in such an open space? Why would you stay?

Let’s start there. Let’s get into it.

Hummocks of sedges and woody growth form moments of respite within the expansive prairie.

Fronds of sensitive fern, Onoclea sensibilis.

Lupinus perennis en masse.

Last year’s old growth still remains from grasses and members of the Asteraceae family.

Veronicastrum beginning to ascend.

-moki-