After seeing some pics of Liatris spicata...now I'm wondering if maybe this is what I have...baby Dense Blazing Star? (see message "Downy Paintbrush")...

Whatever it is, today I noticed that the leaves were getting yellow spotted...and looking closer in the dense little leaves at the very top there were dozens of the smallest aphids I've ever seen!...tiny pale yellow or pale orange ones. And besides that there were a few very tiny black flies (if you can call them that)about 1/16" with wings the shape of a tear-drop longer than the body...they did not fly off or fly at all when I touched them...maybe they were eating the aphids? Aphid midge?

PS..if any one could post a pic of a baby Dense Blazing Star I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

Vera