Stand tall, purple butterfly bush in Syracuse, N.Y.

Our butterfly bushes have always been the late bloomers.

Slowly but surely in this backyard garden in Syracuse, N.Y., these babies become big achievers, too.

The purple-blooming bush has always stood tallest as the growing season progresses.

As autumn falls deeply at last upon this city neighborhood of Eastwood, one single branch has taken its 2013 spurt to an amazing height.

The skinny sprout arcs more than a foot above the rest, high above the six-foot wood fence that keeps our business ours and the neighbors’ business theirs.

The daisies and lilies and such are preparing to turn inward. You can see the first signs of their seasonal retreat.

But this purple blossom stands out proudly against the gray sky as October prepares to yield to November.