Last Year's Seeds

While I was out in the yard a few days ago getting those pictures of barely emerging plants that I shared yesterday, I noticed some interesting seed pods from last year's flowers.  So today I went out in the bitter winter cold that we're back to, and got some pictures.  Amazing the shapes and forms that nature comes up with when you think about it!

This big seed pod of the Yucca plant, which had plentiful blooms last summer, was the one that made me stop and notice these things.  Much of the garden has been covered with snow for more than the past 3 months, but a few things do stand up above, and if they survive the wind and cold, reveal the memories of last year's garden.

Seed pods on one of our many Hostas.  This one grows in a sheltered spot under the deck, so the wind hasn't torn it to shreds like most others.

The seed head of one of our tall coneflowers, bright yellow and nearly 8 feet high when they're in bloom.

The Butterfly Bush, bright blue when it blooms very late in the summer, and sometimes a resting spot for Monarch Butterflies.

The seed head of Ligularia, a bright orange flower, with big rhubarb-like leaves.

The delicate little bloom of the Sea Holly, a spiky light blue when it's in flower, seems to stand up to winter quite well.

And finally, the seed pods of the common Lilac.

Linking to: