I am happy to report that the wildflowers at my cabin are thriving this spring.
There existed a measure of
concern for them on my part.
Last fall, an adjacent land
owner and I hired a contractor to spray weeds on our properties. As much as I try to avoid using chemicals to
control anything in nature, I didn’t feel I had another choice. Over the last few years, spotted knapweed, has
been marching hard against my wildflowers.
If given an opportunity, knapweed will soon create an ever-expanding
monoculture that shoulders aside and soon wipes out most native flowers.
That’s not tenable in Mitch-world.
“When you spray the weeds,” I
told the sprayer last fall, “try your darndest not to hit my flowers. They are the biggest reason you are here.”
Yesterday, I and my good
neighbor joined together and patrolled our properties to see if any knapweed
was emerging and, at the same time, see if the native species were doing okay.
Though some collateral damage
did occur, most of the flowers are fine and the knapweed appears to have had
its butt handed to itself.
Posted are a few of findings
from our wandering.
Fairy Slipper Orchid
Glacier Lily
Indian Paintbrush
Smooth Yellow Violet
Twinberry Blossoms
—Mitchell Hegman
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