Some Wildflowers of the Natchez Trace

The Natchez Trace: 440 miles of scenic highway, managed by the National Park Service, stretching from Nashville to Natchez, and sitting (mostly) upon a centuries-old road used by Native Americans and European settlers. Of course it is host to many wildflowers, and simply driving along the trace affords a glimpse at some well-known flowering natives. Here are a few that bloomed recently.

Handsome Harry; or, if you prefer a relatively dull name, Rhexia virginica.

A closer look at Harry's handsome inflorescence.

Clearly a Liatris... but is it spicata or pycnostachya? These plants filled a field with dramatic purple pokers.

Liatris again.

Here's a particularly pale individual.

I know, not a wildflower... but you have to give this Crocosmia montbretia hybrid some credit for growing along a random path in a seemingly naturalized state. Maybe I need to plant a few.