What's that plant?

We haven't played this game in a while but now is a great time of year to find new things blooming around the woods and creeks.   The fall wildflowers are just as colorful and spectacular as the spring ones. 

This flower grows in stalks about 24 inches high - taller if they're really happy.  It has blue to purple flowers - usually a bit darker than what it looks like in this pic.   They like damp meadows and creeksides.   They volunteer here everywhere and I'm always very happy to have them show up in the flower beds. 

Hint:  The Latin name sounds like an STD.  Also, it's cousin is named after a bird.  Give yourself extra points if you can name both.

Answer below the fold.

What's that plant?

This is a common plant around here.  The plant stands 18-24 inches high; the flowers are about 2.5 inches and are not quite so pale as they appear in the pics.  They're a nice medium purple.

They bloom profusely if there's been enough rain and this year we've had plenty, so there were a lot of them.    In the fall, the plant turns yellow and really shows up against the darker orange and tan grass of fall and winter. 

Hint:  The cultivated variety is an annual that is one of the most ubiquitous container plants in the midwest. 

Answer below the fold

What's that plant?

K1 found a little cluster of these beauties at the edge of the woods near the creek.

The colony

One whole plant

The bloom.

Pretty, huh!    We don't get these every year.   All the rain we've had has encouraged some infrequent bloomers.

Hint:  The common name comes from the color.

Answer below the fold.

What's that plant?

This is common around here, but as you can see, it is un-commonly beautiful in the early morning dew.  

Photo:  K1

The truth is we don't know what kind of grass this was.

And just to emphasize our ignorance on grasses, here's another one I can't identify.

photo: K1

Help us out.  What are they?

What's that plant?

These are the very first wildflower I ever learned to recognize.  They only bloom for a week or so but their beautiful foliage stays around until fall.

Hint:  Think clothing.

Extra points if you can name the common garden plant that is a close relative. 
Answer below the fold.

What's that plant?

I found these blooming in our woods on Sunday. I found them in two colors; white and pink.

Hint: Springtime surprises like these are beautiful, are they not?
Answer below the fold...

What's that plant?

These beauties come in three colors; white, purple and pink. The flowers come up in March, then die back, after which the leaves come up and stay for the rest of the year. I've given you a picture of the leaves and the flowers.

They're only about three inches high, and will be gone in a week. Extra points if you can name the variety!! Answer below the fold...

What's that plant?

I know it's not fair to ask you what a plant is when it's barely out of the ground, but I'm sure you're up to the challenge.    When these babies show their beautiful pink noses, you know spring isn't going away.

Hint:  These are the state flower of Indiana.   They smell divine.   Divine, divine, divine. 
Answer below the fold....