“Mother Nature can put on a floral show that rivals the best of any manicured garden,” Rossford resident Bill Heban said.

On display in this week’s series are two fall-blooming perennials found in Ohio: Goldenrod and New England Aster.

With blooms often lasting through mid-October, they provide needed nectar and pollen for fall butterflies and other pollinators.

“New England Aster is a favorite of migrating Monarch butterflies as they make their way through our region,” Mr. Heban explained.

There are more than 20 species of Goldenrod found in Ohio, and one is even named Ohio Goldenrod, he noted.

“In the garden, Goldenrod is very aggressive, and must be controlled so it doesn’t take over the entire area,” he cautioned.

“Asters and Goldenrod are two of our favorite native plants, and I took this photo several years ago in our yard.

” A Rossford native, Mr. Heban is a wildlife lover and long-time photographer specializing in native fauna and flora of the Midwest.

His stunning work has won numerous awards and has been featured in many publications.