Street petals

There's a New York City street tree blooming nearby. The Chinese Scholartree is the common name listed in my New York City Trees book. The bees seem to love these late blooms so much they will dive into them where they are lined up on the road or on the tops of cars after falling from the tree. Looking closely at the blooms reveals their resemblance to pea flowers and indeed, this tree is in the legume family. In six months, when it is cold again, there will be pods dangling from the Chinese Scolartree and it will still be recognizable. But I'm not looking forward to winter already. I feel almost the opposite. That another summer is slipsliding away too fast.

Phototropism

The tendency of gardeners and gardenbloggers drawn to capturing every moment of their plants' growth on camera or the response of a plant drawn to the stimulus of light? I'd always wondered about those hanging tomatoes and if they'd turn themselves up and grow towards the sun. My neighbor Katie's rooftop fence DIY planter has answered the question for me.

While the Bergamot Bloomed Wild

we went out for a bike ride. Along roads in Putnam and Dutchess and New York counties farther north we found Wild Bergamot blooming in large patches. But closer to the city limits in Westchester County, where these pictures were taken, we passed it too. I've never seen Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) blooming wild off the side of a road in Brooklyn, but that doesn't mean I never will. It is native to the area and most of the United States, so there is always the hope.

Update: Over at 66 Square Feet, Marie has a lovely picture of Wild Bergamot planted at the new Brooklyn Bridge Park. Just another reason to love some of these newest parks, the plant choices.

Hemaris sp. (Hummingbird or ClearWing Moth) feeding on Wild Bergamot, New York

New York Country

On the road to Saratoga, in the New York country, there is big sky, farming and there are quiet two-lane roads. You don't have to go too far outside of the city to be deep into country and you might even stumble upon some of the farms that you buy from at your local farmer's market here in the city. For sale this week by the roadside? Juicy peaches and nectarines. Perfect snacks for thirsty cyclists.

What was blooming near the railroad

Bouquet by Joe from before they mowed near the railroad track in Hudson.