I've been decorating the house for fall, but nature has joined in, too. I went outside this morning to take some photos of our mystery plants that are beginning to bloom.
We have four of these plants that are loaded with blooms and buds. They are perennials, and grew from 2 plants that I planted a year ago. I thought I was buying daisies when I purchased them. But these are the tallest daisies I've ever seen!
Two of the plants are at least 12 feet high. To give you some perspective, look at this photo of the plants beside our arbor.
After doing a little research online, I have concluded that these plants are swamp sunflowers. These plants are in a flower bed that is in front of our vegetable garden, which is definitely not a swampy area. In fact, we had a very dry summer, and I didn't even water these plants when I was watering the roses.
I made sure these lovelies got all the water they needed. And the roses were the only plants to get any fertilizer this summer.
All I can figure is that some fertilizer from the garden must has traveled down to these plants because they look like they are on steroids!
Back in August, Leo put a wire cage around two of the plants that were getting tall. Last year they weren't nearly as tall, but they did get droopy with the heavy blossoms.
Here are some morning glories growing on the garden fence. And the black-eyed Susans look like a wall of gold.
Here is one of the smaller plants, which I'm guessing is the normal size of swamp sunflowers. But if you know anything about my gigantic ones, please let me know.
Charlene
Beautiful! Admiring these beautiful pictures of your garden takes me back to some wonderful memories of times spent at the farm with you; Your Mom always had beautiful flowers & perfectly manicured grass. I'm green with envy! Your blog is great, thanks for sharing your garden of love! Please give my love to Ma!
jamie
I want to live in your yard!
Taunnie
I'm green with envy for your green thumb! Your photography is outstanding too!
vickie
Those are swamp sunflowers or Jeruselem artichokes as some people call them. Be very careful as they will take over the world! They spread by underground runners and if you leave a little piece of the root they come right back. They will take over a whole flower bed. They are pretty but keep them away from flower beds-maybe out by a property line.
Jean Windham
The flowers are huge and the garden looks really good. The garden shows your love of flowers and planting everything. I bet you have plans for next year.
Cheryl
Oh my goodness, your yard looks fabulous!! I am soo0000000000 going to plant some sunflowers next year!!!
christine @ Stonehouse Living
Hi Jane,
WoW! Those yellow flowers are amazing, what a great height!
Your roses are lovely, beautiful garden...mine is pretty much finished now.
Thank you for visiting today! I'm happy to be following you too!
Enjoy your day!
All the Best,
Christine
[email protected]
This type of "sunflower" grows wild here in Missouri. We see them all along the highways and back roads during late summer and fall. We had them at the farm and believe those were started from sunflower seeds we fed Cardinals during winter. We have not had them here at our new home.
Great Fall photos, Jane!
Anita at Far Above Rubies
Wow, those are gorgeous as are all the beautiful flowers and plants in your gardens!! My parents had some regular sunflowers that were about 10-12 feet tall, not kidding, this year. Thanks for stopping by!!
Susan in SC
I love the sunflowers. I have always wanted to grow some. Maybe next summer I will try that!
Ann
Oh you have a very lovely garden...
Love your flowers especially the roses,
they look so wonderful and well taken cared of.
[email protected]
Your garden is so pretty. We have a much smaller garden and plenty of perenniels too but nothing like yours! The tall sunflowers are stunning but I've never heard of swamp sunflowers. Now I'm off to check out some of your recipes. 🙂
Thanks for dropping by and following my blog. I sure do appreciate it!
Ellen
Wow that is one huge flower.....just look at the head and that is such a pretty color yellow, your rose are gorgeous as is that wall of black eyed susans. I have a swampy pond across the street and never seen anything like this. Good luck finding out what it is. Looking at that first photo, the color is amazing.
Happy Fall
Hugs,
Ellen
Ginger
I don't know anything about the sunflowers but they did make a beautiful blossom. You flowers are still looking good. Have a great weekend. Hugs, Ginger
Julia @ 551 East Design
These flowers make me sad that summer is almost over!! They are so pretty! Thanks for sharing.
PS I have a $50 cash giveaway going on at my blog till Monday. Come by when you have a chance! 🙂
Terri
Whatever the story is on the flowers reaching for the sky... they are gorgeous!!!! Your garden looks so peaceful!!!! Is that a bird nest I see in the morning glories??? How sweet!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing this morning!!!!!! Have a blessed weekend! Terri
brandi
your garden is beautiful! I am amazed by all of the gorgeous flowers in your yard!!
[email protected] Charm
Sunflowers...I would have never had known!!! Your pics are beautiful.
Blessings,
Linda
Gina
Your flowers are all so pretty! I can't believe how tall the swamp sunflowers are. Your roses are lovely too.
Honey
Your flower and plants are doing really great. I see in the comment above that you just found out what that plant is!
Thanks for linking to Potpourri Friday. I appreciate you!
Olga
Hi Jane,
I think I know what your mysterious plant is. When I saw the pictures, I remembered my mom grew such plants back in Ukraine. And they actually are root vegetables. We didn´t really eat them, but they grew in our garden year after year. In Ukrainian, we called this plant Topinambour, but I just read on Wikipidia that in English its called Jerusalem artichoke http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_artichoke
Your garden is very beautiful! Thank you for your comment and for following my blog.
Happy Friday!
Melanie
Hi Jane!
I have been lurking for quite awhile now, and it is finally time for me to fess up! I heard about your blog on the radio (your BIL mentioned it one time, when Leo was on the air with him, I believe), and I checked it out when you had only just begun. Now I see that you are posting more regularly, and I am so glad you do because I LOVE your blog. I love the content you share, your great pics, and just the general feel. I can feel how much you are loving your life, and who wouldn't? You have got it going on, girl!
You may remember me-- I am Melanie from Lexington Intermediate. Now that LIS has closed, I am at Midway and am loving it.
Jane, I read a lot of blogs, many of the ones you read, by the way, and I just want you to know how very much I enjoy yours and feel yours is great. Keep up the good work.
Sue-Someone's Mom
They are really pretty. If you pick them and put them in water, do they hold up? Your roses are gorgeous too! I love sunny fall days when the flowers are still blooming...all that color and cool enough to enjoy it!
dawn
Around my neck of the woods, we call them flowers, Ditch Daisy's. They do grow 12ft tall and all over the road side ditches in the country. I'm sure they have a real name but I don't know what it is. Your climbing Black-eyed Susan and Morning Glories are beautiful. I also spotted your lime green grill, turned flower planter, that I love in the background. Beautiful flowers you have my friend:)
Barbara F.
That plant reminds me of Jack and the Beanstalk! I have never seen such tall sunflowers. Good thing you have the space for it. xo