OK, so we’re in winter. Not a time for blooms, but it is a time to see some pretty interesting remnants of the growing season gone by for native plants.

Let’s observe, for example, the seed pods of the common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis). This native biennial has lemon-colored, 4-petaled flowers when it blooms in mid-summer.

It can be considered a weedy species because it is quite widespread in prairies, fields, roadsides and waste places, and the seeds can live a long time in the soil. In the winter, their seed pods are quite distinctive and can be a nice addition to a dried flower arrangement.

Another plant that is fun to observe in the winter is thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana). This perennial plant reaches from 3-5 feet tall and has a single white, 5-petaled flower on each stem.

It’s a pretty neat plant, as the flower extends about a foot beyond the highest leaf cluster, but what’s fun at this time of year is the fuzzy cluster of seeds that slowly fall apart through the winter. You’ll see this plant in open woods and open areas near woods.

A third plant to find as you wander about on a winter’s day is ironweed (Vernonia missurica). This perennial is found in wet areas, such as wet meadows, and swamp edges and grows to heights of 6 to 8 feet in its preferred habitats. In my dry yard, they only grow to about 3 feet tall.

When they’re blooming, they have a brilliant purple flower that is attractive to many butterflies, bees and moths. Once the flowers are done blooming, they form a dense “furball” of seeds that are popular with goldfinches. So, take a walk along a frozen wet area and see if you can find it before the little yellow guys beat you to it.

We’ll talk more about these plants next summer, when they’re actually blooming, but for now enjoy their muted beauty against the white of winter.