autumn wildflowers

Did you think that plants only bloomed in spring and/or summer? Although you will not lack reason, because during those two seasons is when the conditions in the area are better for the flowers to develop normally, also coinciding with the activity of pollinating insects, which is much greater during those months, the truth is that in autumn we can find some flowering plants.

In this article I am going to mention some autumn wild flowers that you can plant in your garden, or grow them in pots to decorate the balcony, or simply to take care of those insects that feed on pollen, such as butterflies.

Lavender (lavandula dentata)

I'm not going to lie to you: all lavenders bloom practically all year round. But since I'm talking about native species -focusing on those from Spain-, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to mention you to the lavandula dentata. This species is found in the Western Mediterranean, including the east and south coast of the Iberian Peninsula., and of course the Balearic archipelago, my land.

It is a sub-shrub plant -what we would call in common language Bush-, evergreen, which reaches a height of about half a meter. The leaves are green, hairy on both sides, and with toothed margins. And the flowers are purple, very small, barely 1,5 centimeters long.

Crag mallow (Lavatera acerifolia)

The cliff mallow is an evergreen shrub endemic to the Canary Islands. This means that it is only found wild in this archipelago, nowhere else. It can measure up to 3 meters in height, and has leaves up to 7 centimeters similar to those of maples. But without a doubt, what is most striking are its flowers: they measure up to 8 centimeters in diameter, and are mauve in color.

In local nurseries it can be found for sale as an ornamental plant, as it is certainly a very, very pretty species. But if you dare to cultivate it, keep in mind that is sensitive to cold.

olive grove (Viscose dittrichia)

The olive grove is a herbaceous plant with a woody base native to the Mediterranean region. It reaches a height of 1,5 meters, and produces lanceolate leaves with serrated margins.. Its flowers are yellow, and they sprout grouping in a spiky inflorescence in summer and autumn.

It must also be said that the whole plant smells quite resinous, and that although it is considered a weed, it can actually be used medicinally. And it is that, for example, with the leaves an infusion is prepared to relieve the discomfort of diseases such as arthritis; and as a topical use, as a poultice, it is used to close wounds.

Toothgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli)

Toothed grass is a grass that in Spain we will find mainly on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula, and in the Balearic Islands. Its stems reach a maximum length of 120 centimeters., and its flowers are spikes that sprout in summer and autumn.

Being a species of the family of the Poaceae, you must bear in mind that its pollen can cause allergies. So if you already know that you are allergic to this family of plants, it is best to avoid getting too close to it.

persicaria (persicaria maculosa)

Persicaria is an annual herb -that is, it germinates, grows, flowers, produces seeds and finally dies in the course of a year- that we will find in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically near rivers and wetlands. It reaches 80-100 centimeters in height, and develops lanceolate green leaves. Its flowers are pink, and measure about one centimeter.

It is used as food and as a medicinal plant.. The tender leaves can be consumed, for example, in salads, and at a topical level they also help to close wounds or sores.

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)

El pennyroyal It is a herbaceous tussock that is present in practically the entire Iberian Peninsula, as well as in the Balearic Islands. Its stems are quadrangular, up to half a meter long, and tend to branch a lot.. The leaves are lance-shaped, green and about 2 centimeters long. It blooms during the summer and fall, producing purple flowers that sprout at the top of some stems.

It has several medicinal uses. In fact, it is often used to make infusions to calm cold symptoms, to relax, and even as a carminative.

sea ​​spurge (paralyzed euphorbia)

Sea spurge is a perennial herb native to Macaronesia and the Mediterranean region. It can reach 70 centimeters in height more or less, and develops stems with very small green leaves.. Flowers emerge from the tops of these stems throughout the summer and fall.

It grows very fast, and withstands drought very well. It is common to see it in coastal dunes.

Gorse (Ulex cantabricus)

Gorse is a very thorny perennial shrub that grows in the Cantabrian Mountains, in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. It reaches a height of 1 meter, and produces yellow flowers from summer to autumn., and sometimes you can also do it in winter if the snowfalls are slow in coming.

It is a plant that, taking into account its characteristics, may not be the best option to grow in a garden that is enjoyed by children, but it is I think it's a good idea to plant it in pots, or even in a rockery.

Sea purslane (Halimione portulacoides)

Maritime purslane is a perennial shrub native to the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast. It also grows in the Balearic Islands. It is part of the coastal flora, both in the marshes and in the salt marshes. It can reach a meter in height, and develops prostrate stems from which green, somewhat fleshy leaves sprout.. Its flowers are yellow, and they bloom in summer and until mid-autumn.

Its leaves are suitable for human consumption. In fact, can be eaten in salads for example, or cooked.

snacks (Colchicum montanum)

The plant known as take away is a bulbous herb that grows wild in the mountainous regions of the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in the north of it. When it sprouts, the flowers appear first, which are lilac, solitary, and measure approximately 4 centimeters.. It then produces green leaves about 20 centimeters long by up to 8 millimeters wide. It blooms from mid-summer to mid-autumn (between July and October in the northern hemisphere).

If you dare to cultivate it, you must plant the bulb in spring, so that it flourishes as soon as the conditions are right. Put it in a sunny place, and don't forget to water it from time to time.

So which of these fall wildflowers did you like the most?