Sharon, you have such a way with words ... makes me feel like I'm right there in your story with you! The first part of your article reminded me of me ... I don't really remember if I had a favorite color as a child or even as a young adult but as I've gotten "older" it seems like I go from one color to the next being my "favorite" depending on the day ... but for the past dozen or so years when it comes to flowers, I love red. It seems as if the red blooms attract the Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Moths and Bees more than any other color in my garden so that's probably why I'm really liking red flowers.

Thank you for another great article!

You just reminded me; after I was old enough to know which flowers I could freely pick, I'd sometimes take Aunt Bett a bouquet. Every time I walked into her house with red flowers, she's say, 'Shut th' door or them butterflies will be all over my kitchen!'

Thanks Lin, and yes, I still love red.

Yep, I do believe the Butterflies would follow red flowers right into the house!

Always a pleasure reading one of your stories, Sharon!

Thank you, my dear Americanlady!

Always a pleasure to write them.

plantladylin said:Sharon, you have such a way with words ... makes me feel like I'm right there in your story with you! The first part of your article reminded me of me ... I don't really remember if I had a favorite color as a child or even as a young adult but as I've gotten "older" it seems like I go from one color to the next being my "favorite" depending on the day ... but for the past dozen or so years when it comes to flowers, I love red. It seems as if the red blooms attract the Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Moths and Bees more than any other color in my garden so that's probably why I'm really liking red flowers.

Thank you for another great article!

@Marilyn

What a wonderful story Sharon and while it was all about the wild flowers, I loved hearing about your red cape

Love bee balm - I only have purple. I need to get some red!

I have some purple as well, Vic, but there's nothing quite as stunning as that deep rich red bee balm!
Thanks.

Excellente!

First blooms recently made their appearance in the New England Asters and Fall Clematis here.

Thanks J ~

I'm looking forward to fall and am taking a little day trip down through the Land Between the Lakes next weekend where I should find more than my gardens are offering. It's been a really cool and wet summer, but the asters are blooming here too. However - my goldenrod has disappeared. I blame it on last year's drought; it's been 2 years now and I miss it. Looking for more.

BTW, my gloriosas bloomed all summer and are winding down now, I think. Beautiful!

I've friends who regularly praise the Land Between the Lakes area. I've never had the opportunity to go there. Going south of Illinois I always seem to end up on the other side of the Mississippi in Arkansas or Texas..
My Gloriies likewise are past their peak. The heat is back w/ a vengence, and no rain for quite a while.

J, you simply need to make that trip to LBL. Take a left and cross the mighty Mississippi!!
I'll meet you in the Land Between the Lakes, you'll love it.

Found 2 buds on my gloriosas this morning! Last hurrah, I think.

I haven't been on here in awhile, and so I decided to check in on you first, since my email popped-up with ATP! I really loved reading your story, Sharon--- felt like I was walking and stumbling along with you and your Aunt on the mountain-side! In Texas when our wildflowers bloom, we have some called Indian Blankets (Red wildflowers, edged in Yellow)--- they look gorgeous when mixed in with our Texas Bluebonnets out in the countryside!

Wow!! So good to see you again, Connie. It's been a long time.

I've seen pictures of Indian Blankets and I can imagine how pretty they are. I'm still wishing I could grow your Texas Bluebonnets, but think they'd do better left in Texas.

Look around ATP while you are here, there's a lot to see and read and learn. It's a great site and I hope you are here more often.