Jo Hain lives on a farm in Cerro Gordo county and likes to explore and photograph nature.

Last year, I went to a local county conservation park and saw a bush by a popular fishing spot. I checked my plant app, which identified it as Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius). I was determined to see what it looked like in bloom.

This spring, I remembered. I went in late May and was not disappointed. It was everywhere! Especially the south and west parts of the park. Inside the park and along the outside of the park.

Bear in mind, this park used to be a gravel pit. The terrain is pretty inhospitable to a lot of vegetation. Very rocky. But, Ninebark said, “Pffft, challenge accepted!”

Jo Hain lives on a farm in Cerro Gordo county and likes to explore and photograph nature.

I was in my garden a couple years ago and I noticed some plants coming up. Looked like catnip to me, so I left it alone. It got taller and no longer looked like catnip.

Then I thought it was Stinging Nettle, so I didn’t want to touch it. I used my plant app and it said it was American Dragonhead (Dracocephalum parviflorum).

Plant apps are useful but not always correct. So I did look it up and, yes, it was American dragonhead. I posted it to the Iowa wildflower enthusiasts Facebook group. Someone confirmed it there as well.