Purple coneflowers are very abundant on the Smith Ranch and are one of the first wildflowers to bloom in the Spring.
This is the first time this leadplant has bloomed on the ranch since we've been here. The orange and purple blossoms were so pretty! It is so named because of the grey, lead-colored leaves. The Lakota Indians used the leaves to make tea to drink.
We've have an abundance of black-eyed susans along our long driveway this year and the below image were some near our mailbox. We are using this image on the front cover of our business cards that we just ordered.
Another abundant flower this year is this bractless brookweed. They bloomed in white and in yellow petals like this one below.
This hoary vervain wildflower with its pretty lavender petals has been a faithful plant to bloom every year.
The common milkweed which grows along the gravel road attracts the Monarch butterfly though I haven't yet been able to capture them together during my photo excursions!
This mint-leaf beebalm that grows in a certain area in our pasture is a welcome addition to flower gardens. The pink blooms attract bees and other native pollinators.
These showy yellow Missouri evening primroses are so pretty against a greenery background!
The two images below of musk thistles are also newly bloomed wildflowers since we've been here seven years.
These prairie wild roses are common alongside the gravel road and they are definitely like a rose as their stems are thorny!
Hope you enjoyed these pretty wildflowers that grow on the prairies of our beautiful state of Kansas!
