In Bloom - Wildflower Meadow in Nichols Park

      Soapwort Saponaria officinalis Pink family (Caryophyllaceae) Also called Wild Sweet William, and a bunch of other names.  We planted this a couple of years ago late in the season, this is the first year that it bloomed.  At the time, we were told this was a native wildflower; now we know better.  Since this is not a native plant, it will soon be relocated out of the Meadow.   Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea Bean family (Fabaceae) https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/ppr_cloverx.htm  In the beds outside the Meadow, at the south entrance.   Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa Milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae) https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/btf_milkweedx.htm Also at the south entrance to the Meadow   A Bird in the Bush - a resident of the Meadow This one you have to know what you're looking at.  Notice the birdhouse on the left, then look slightly lower in the branches on the r...

  Common Dogbane - Apocynum cannabinum - Dogbane family (Apocynaceae) http://illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/dogbanex.htm   Butterfly Milkweed - Asclepias tuberosa - Milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae) http://illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/btf_milkweedx.htm   Garden Yellow Loosestrife - (Lysimachia vulgaris) - Primulaceae family A nice looking flower, unfortunately this is considered a highly invasive species in North America.  It is of Eurasian origin, and if it becomes established it can spread agressively.  We will be removing it from the Wildflower Meadow in the near future. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/GardenYellowLoosestrife.html