Basswood trees bloom from June 9 to July 9 some years early, some years late. The fragrant flowers last about two weeks and are pollinated by bees and other insects. Mid July Cattails are shedding yellow pollen. Other July bloomers are clematis, common elderberry, common ox-eye, butterfly milkweed, burdock, zinnias, common milkweed, day lilies, purple loosestrife, phlox, Monarda, and waterlilies. Pollen bearing corn tassels appear in early July, and about ten days later the female silks on the corn ears emerge.
Pollen drifts on the wind and catches on the minute hairs of the silks.
Germination occurs and the kernels begin to grow. Most of my sour cherries have beak marks on them. Columbine seeds are ready to collect. When the seeds are black, cut the stalks and put them in a paper bag. The seeds will finish ripening and fall out into the bag when you shake it.