I watch for these beauties every year. They are near the entrance to one of my favorite trails.

These two wildflowers are easy to spot not just because of their large size, but also because they are usually surrounded by butterflies.

New York Ironweed, Veronia noveboracensis, is a bright, violet-purple that is great contrast to the Yellow Swallowtails that flutter around it. This plant is over six feet tall.

Hollow Joe-Pye Weed, Eutrochium fistulosum, has huge heavy cluster heads of pinkish flowers that cause the stems to flop over.

This plant was well over six feet tall. My walking stick is five feet tall and it got lost in this leaning stand of blooms when I stuck it in for a measurement.

Both of these plants are in the Aster family. They both bloom late summer and well into the fall. These gorgeous giants are two of my favorites.

FLOWER