Early September Vermont Wildflowers

These pictures were taken Sunday, September 3, during a short visit to Bennington, Vermont.  

The Bennington Museum (highly recommended) has, outside, a sculpture and wildflower walk.  Let's do some exploring.

Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus) is a perennial relative of the sunflower, and is grown for its edible tubers.  These were cultivated by indigenous people of what is now the central United States and eventually made its way to New England.

Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum).

I'm thinking this is New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) but if it isn't, I'm sure someone will correct me.  I'm far from a wildflower expert, and many of these plants were not labeled.

Great Blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) caught my eye.  Again, no label - I got this from my iPhone built in plant ID

One of the sculptures.

Sweet autumn clementis nestled in some ferns.

Last but not least, my first sighting of New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae).  I love this flower but it always makes me sad to see the first one, as I know the fall asters signal that the final curtain of wildflowers will be coming down soon.  At least it was in Bennington (USDA zone 5a) and not where I live in New York State (zone 5b).  I haven't seen one at home yet, although I see they have buds.

I invite you to join me tomorrow for SkywatchFriday.