Fireweed
It’s a flower I had never heard of until moving to Alaska. You can make yummy Fireweed Jelly with it. But what it’s most well known for in Alaska is a forecaster of winter coming.
When the top of the Fireweed blooms, it means you have 6 weeks left until winter. This has always spoiled for me the beauty of the flower. A distinct feeling of dread would creep into my being as I watched the blossoms bloom from the bottom to the top. Alaska and its winters I feel like I dealt with fairly well. But summers could be tricky as they are often cold and wet in Anchorage. Knowing that your last hope of warmth and sunshine was leaving was soul crushing.
Since moving to Washington state- For the first time, I’ve been able to fully appreciate the beauty of this plant. I see it blooming on the roadside and think to myself, “Go ahead and bloom. Even if you did bring winter in 6 weeks it would just be a little colder and a bit rainier and I know we’ll have some warm days despite the winter.
So BLOOM Fireweed! BLOOM!
What a pretty flower! I could not handle Alaska. I am waayyy too much of a Southern Girl. The winter here in Ga depresses me! LOL.
Thanks for linking up @LiveLifeWell
Blessings,
Amy
It was the summers that depressed me. They were rainy and cold. If I was going to spend sometimes 9 months with winter, I wanted to be warm at least at some point.
We lived in the North Pole area for several years! First when hubby was stationed at Eielson Air Force Base for 3 years, then we went back and planted a church near the base. Altogether we lived there for about 11 years, and I miss it. I was excited when I saw your lovely fireweed photo.
It really is beautiful and I love getting to admire it in Washington state. The whole time I lived in AK (you surpassed us, we were only there for 9 years), I would watch the blossoms with dread. But I LOVE the people that are found in AK. They are truly a gift.