Butterfly Bush
Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 9:15PM 
The swampy funk of a DC summer lifted a few days ago and was replaced by crisp, sometimes chilly, air.
I love autumn and everything it brings: the smell of windblown hair; leaves that crunch under foot; pumpkins on porches; the deep and riotous color of the trees; collecting acorns; the smell of smoke from neighbors' chimneys first thing in the morning; jeans and fleece jackets.
But this year, for the first time, I feel more misty about what's passing than excited about what's coming.
The peony blooms fell months ago, now the foliage is following. A few hardy daylillies continue to hang on but already many of the long, arched, elegant leaves have browned. The massive oakleaf hydrangea faded from white to blushed pink.
What I think I'll miss most, though, is the spectacular butterfly bush and the army of butterflies it attracts. There are easily a dozen or so butterflies that hang around the bush throughout the day. Small ones. Big ones. Beautiful ones.
The bush sits about 10 feet from our dining room window and while we can't actually see it from that room... we frequently see Tiger Swallowtails flitting about on their way to the back yard to feast on the purple flowers. It's a surprise every time it happens, even though it happens every day, and it's one I'll miss as summer fades to fall.
Reader Comments (4)
I have trouble appreciating fall. Always have. For me it means (1) summer, my favorite time, is over, and (2) winter is coming. I hate winter. The only good thing about winter is that spring must surely follow, and after that: summer!
That said, I'm working on living more in the moment, and plan to try hard to appreciate this fall.
And now--you've given me great ideas about where to plant butterfly bushes!
- L
I love the celebration of the beginning of an end. Fall is so powerful for me and brings back a swarm of memories. Reading this, I was reminded of what I will miss with the coming of my favorite season and what to embrace with the cool air. It is poetic your writing.
Foliage.
Oh crap!