As a child, I lived in a small southern town. Just outside of town was a Royal Crown bottling plant, and it also produced the Nehi line of soft drinks (we called it “pop”). A relative worked at the plant, so occasionally, I got a free grape Nehi.
Grape Nehi was my favorite pop flavor. Pocahontas Black Cherry was a close second. Colas, I never cared for. My favorite treat was a chili dog and a grape Nehi, which at the time cost 40 cents. I’ve tried other grape sodas over the years and none could touch grape Nehi. Even so, my Nehi days are behind me. These days, I drink only water or juice.
The color of this woodland phlox reminds me of the color of grape Nehi so much that every time I’m working in the garden, I get a nearly irresistible urge to pop a flower in my mouth. (No, I never have.)
