The Haleakala Silversword is found only within a 250 acre area on Mount Haleakala, on the island of Maui in Hawaii.  Its habitat is at an elevation of 7000 – 10,000 ft, in soil composed of volcanic cinders.

Silverswords live for about 10 to 50 years as a low, round bush like the one in the left edge of the photo above. At the end of their life, they send up a flowering stalk that can grow over 6 feet tall within a few weeks, and produce up to 600 flower heads.

 Silverswords have adapted to their dry environment by storing a large amount of water in their thick leaves. As the flowering stalk grows, it pulls water from the leaves and they begin to droop, like the one above.

The Haleakala Silversword is a member of the Silversword Alliance, a group of about 30 plant species throughout Hawaii, which are believed to have evolved millions of years ago from tarweed plants in California. These tarweed seeds floated over 2000 miles on the open ocean to colonize the Hawaiian islands. Both silverswords and tarweeds are members of the sunflower family.

The Haleakala Silversword is a threatened species. It used to be threatened by overzealous tourists and grazing cattle. Now that Haleakala is a National Park, the tourists and cattle are kept under control. What threatens the silverswords today is an invasive species of ant from Argentina, which is preying on the native insects that pollinate the silverswords. Since silverswords flower only once in their long life, this small window for pollination is critical to their survival.

After being pollinated, and spreading its seeds to the Hawaiian winds, the silversword dies. In the photo below, you can finally see why they call this plant “silver sword”. A new silversword is growing directly behind the old, shriveled leaves and sword.

The Hawaiian name for this plant is ‘āhinahina, which translates to “very gray”. Or maybe silver, it’s hard to say.

As seen at Kind of Curious

Pollinators are responsible for assisting over 80% of the world’s flowering plants. Without them, humans and wildlife wouldn’t have much to eat or look at! Animals that assist plants in their reproduction as pollinators include species of ants, bats, bees, beetles, birds, butterflies, flies, moths, wasps, as well as other unusual animals.  Wind and water also play a role in the pollination of many plants.

Artwork by © Paul Mirocha 2004

A man-made mountain blanketed in royal blue and purple flowers and set within former palace grounds, now the world’s largest museum, conjures up the type of grand flourish once commissioned by kings.

Its construction within the Cour Carrée, the exquisite quadrilateral courtyard at the Louvre’s east end, began as it always does ahead of Paris Fashion Week: first the fencing, then the frame demarcating the perimeter of the tent, followed by the support beams and white shell. But at some point last week, there were signs that this structure would be different; namely, an undulating wood grid protruding from one of its sides. Over the next few days, a team totaling 100 continued adding to the structure so that by Wednesday, museumgoers peering out from the royal apartments began marveling at – and photographing – half-planted hill.

Gregory Britt of Tourterelle Floral Design describes his approach to using his favorite autumnal finds.  To learn more, read The Scout Guide.

Succulents have been so popular this year! Here is another great display from

The Succulent Perch, CA.

BBrooks member florist Labellum, MT created this bridal bouquet of deep rich burgundy dahlias, roses, cymbidiums, callas.

Inventive design by BBrooks member florist Belle Fleur, NY.  They used at least 200 roses, strung from an overhead trellis, for a lovely breakfast party at Gramercy Park Hotel.

Wild Coreopsis growing at University Ridge Neighborhood Park, Reno, NV.

(as seen via River School Farm)

Barb, from Our Fair Home and Garden, saw a few antique windows a yard sale and set off on a path of creative genius. After gathering more windows from family and friends she set out to create her own greenhouse.  After seeing this, you might consider gathering and re-purposing some old windows yourself!