Cornflower

I think these cornflowers are so pretty. I don’t remember if anyone even planted them, I think they just appeared one day. I could be wrong about that.

I love their simplicity. A couple of weeks ago, Alison picked some for me and I put them in a drinking glass on the window sill. In the light of mid-morning, they were simple, elegant and delicate. For some reason, I think of prairies and rustic meals called by a strong-armed matriarch with an iron triangle.

In folklore, cornflowers were worn by young men in love; if the flower faded too quickly, it was taken as a sign that the man’s love was unrequited. Generally, the cut stems are hardy.

The foxgloves are doing splendidly; they’re probably between four and five feet high now. I grew snapdragons and foxgloves in my front yard in Spokane, but they never grew this tall or nice. My guess is that they were in too much shade where I grew them.

I’m pretty sure this is the flower of the Butterfly Bush. They are also attractive to bees, moths and ladybirds. The species of buddleia with red flowers are also attractive to hummingbirds, all of which are beneficial to the garden.

I actually have no idea what this plant is. I bought it because I liked the leaves and I had no idea that it would even put out a flower like this. I thought it was a bush. I walked by it this afternoon and became entranced by the awesome flower.