Dave's Garden - November '08

There's still plenty of color in the November garden. Even though we've had more than a handful of days with temperatures below freezing and heavy frost on multiple occasions some blooming plants are just beginning their annual show.

Camellias

The Winter Star and Winter's Interlude camellias are beginning to bloom. They will bloom sporadically through the Winter when the weather warms up, and the remaining buds will bloom in early Spring.

Nandina domestica

Nandina berries provide a show throughout the Winter. Although the foliage hasn't turned yet, many nandina varieties leaves turn a brilliant red in the Fall.

Fernleaf Maple

The Fernleaf Maple, Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium', provides a spectacular foliage display in the Fall. This slow growing, spreading tree is relatively unusual in the landscape, but makes an outstanding small tree.

Sparkleberry holly

The deciduous holly (non-evergreen), Ilex verticillata 'Sparkleberry', makes a show with its berries in the Fall until the birds get them all. It's a great plant to attract wildlife.

Stewartia pseudocamellia

Stewartia is extremely slow getting established. I planted the one in my garden at least five years ago, and it just began to show significant growth this year. Even though it's relatively small the blooms make a big show in late Spring, and the Fall color is great.

Other colorful November plants

The Knockout roses, both pink and red, continue to be covered with blooms. Most years the blooms will persist nearly until the end of the month. The spikey flowers of Winter Sun mahonia aren't open yet, but the unusual buds are very showy.

Encore azaleas bloomed more this Fall than normal. All varieties budded heavily and bloomed from late September through the end of October. With freezing temperatures the flowers are fading, although they are still showing color in early November.