Two, new-to-my-garden native plants popped up this season, whether gifts from wind or wildlife, I won’t hazard a guess, but I’m pleased nonetheless. I was excited when I spotted the resplendent blooms of a Goldenrod, Solidago gigantea.

I then recognized its frothy neighbor, a Poverty Weed, Baccharis neglecta.

The plants actually belong to my neighbor and sister-in-law, as they’ve grown up at the base of the remains of her large Arizona Ash, which is now mostly bark, but full of life with insects and perching birds. I had no idea these two were plotting to play a role in the ensemble of the garden because they’ve been situated between my SIL’s tree and a group of my plants, including a large Plateau Goldeneye, Viguiera dentata, some Turk’s Cap, Malvaviscus arboreus, and a Mexican Orchid tree, Bauhinia mexicana, and so weren’t noticed until each grew tall enough and flowered bodaciously enough to demand attention.

Both plants’ blooms are providing plenty for pollinators; mostly I’ve seen bees.

In this photo, just north of the smeary honeybee, you can see a tiny, dark native bee. To the right of that bee, is another native, either bee or beetle, I’m not quite sure.

The Poverty Weed’s mass of snowy blooms reaches over a cluster of Goldeneye flowers; bees zip between the two plants.

Photos of the small flowers have been tricky, due to wind, rain, and photographer limitations, but in this photo, there are several tiny black insects–all native bees.

This honeybee is a giant compared to the little natives nectaring, but both species are enjoying the bounty.

I’m always tickled when new plants make their home in my garden and I appreciate observing and learning about them. I will need to cull any seedlings that these two produce (and there will be some…or plenty), but I welcome these native pollinator plants full of charm and beauty and appreciate their contribution to the diversity of my garden.