In mid-July when I took the above photo, I admit that I did not yet know what type of flower it was. I liked it’s small, pointy buds and could not wait to see how they would unfold.
They turned out to be phlox. There are many varieties, some low to the ground, but these which stand quite tall, the tallest up to my waist, have become one of my favorite plants around here. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds, have brightened my days, and last a really long time. The best part though was that they surprised me. When the petals finally fell to the ground and I thought they were gone until next summer, this happened:
They bloomed again! There are still a few hanging on now in mid-September.
(Phlox paniculata)