Got the Blues?

With all the sunny dry weather we have had for the past month or so, how could anyone have the blues? LOL. Of course, my rhetorical question has to do with flowers, not our feelings. Hopefully this collection of currently blooming blue beauties will keep your blues away for a while. The bees are certainly happy with all these!

Blue-Headed Gilia (Gilia capitata)

This tall annual native, can take briefly over an entire swath of ground in early summer. The top-heavy stems can sway in the wind, reminding one of water waves. The name honors the Vatican Observatory naturalist who authored books about South American plants in the early 1800's. Found at Jackson Bottom 6/09/2012.

    

Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)

Who could resist this spring beauty? These aptly named annuals can spread over a wide area making a carpet of blue. Each bloom is about 3/4 inch. Jackson Bottom 5/25/2014.

Blue Blossom (Ceanothus thrysiflorus)

This attractive native shrub is more common down on the coast, south of our area. Nonetheless, I have seen it blooming in several local natural areas. In California, it can grow into a 25-foot tree like shrub. Cooper Mountain Nature Park 5/21/2014.

    

Speedwell (Veronica)

There are over 500 known species of Speedwell listed in the wildflower guides. We spotted these at Rood Bridge Park in early May. I contacted the Parks department but they were unable to provide the exact species. In any event, they seem to like shade and a moist environment. 

    

Giant Blue-Eyed Mary (Collinsia grandiflora)

These tall plants look familiar, although I had not seen them before. The flowers resemble snapdragons or monkey flowers, just in blue though. Another common native, they range throughout the state, except in the Northeast. Jackson Bottom 5/27/2014.

Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)

Another new capture for me, this native little ground dweller can be hard to spot among the taller grasses and other flowers. The leaves resemble grass, hence the common name. Jackson Bottom 5/25/2014.

Yarrowleaf Gilia (Gilia millefoliata)

With an odd-ball name and a native of the southern Oregon coast, we did not expect to find this one growing here locally. The pale blue petals are very elegant and measure about 2/3 inch across. This was the only one we saw, so it must be a hitchhiker with something else. Jackson Bottom 5/27/2014. 

Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum)

We saw some of these last year, at the very end of the bloom cycle. We spotted these early on this year, so were able to ID. The windy day of this capture was challenging though! Cooper Mountain Nature Park 5/21/2014.

Broadleaf Lupine (Lupinus latifolius)

And last, but not least, the Lupines were abundant this year. With all this good weather they bloomed profusely and had a long "hang time." Our yard 5/25/2014.