What's in Bloom: The Beauty of Seeds, Nuts, and Fruit

The season is changing, and you can feel it in the air and see it in the plants throughout the garden. This week, we're celebrating the beauty of seeds, nuts, and fruit that our plants are producing right now: berries, pinecones, and everything in between. In some cases, they're every bit as beautiful as the flowers that came before them, just with a lot less fanfare.

Nature's Calendar

This whole process falls under phenology, the study of the life cycles of living things. Think of it as nature's calendar. In the plant world, that calendar moves through leaf emergence in spring, flower development, fruit development, and finally fall color change before plants settle in for winter dormancy.

Right now, we're squarely in fruit and seed season.

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The Beauty of Seeds, Nuts, and Fruit Has a Purpose

Plants produce seeds and nuts to ensure their own survival, but the benefits don't stop there. These same seeds and nuts feed the birds and mammals that call the garden home. In turn, those animals help spread seeds throughout the garden, giving plants an even better shot at the next generation.

It's a full-circle system. The changing foliage, nuts, and berries attract animals and pollinators, and their presence helps make sure the whole cycle keeps going.

Come See It For Yourself

This is a short window. Come enjoy it before the leaves start to turn and fall. Take a slow walk through the garden and look for the seed pods, berry clusters, and pinecones tucked among the greenery. You might be surprised how much detail you've been walking past all summer.

Visit us at Rotary Botanical Gardens to see what's in bloom (and what's gone to seed) this week. 1455 Palmer Dr. Janesville, WI 53545

Thank you to Melissa Lauer for this report and to her team of volunteers for making this possible. All photos provided by Melissa Lauer.