No spring, nor summer beauty hath such grace,As I have seen in one autumnal face.-John Donne Expected autumnal beauty is usually delivered with striking leaf colors as with our tupelo, Franklin tree, fothergilla, Virginia sweetspire, and of course maples to … Continue reading →

What’s in Bloom: Week of October 25, 2021 Japanese anemone, Anemone hupehensis, several locations Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum sp., many locations Panicle hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata, several locations Hairy alum root, Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’, Hazel Path Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Hyacinth Path … Continue reading →

The Balloon Flower is native to eastern Asia and will have stems reaching 2-3-feet high. This perennial is native to eastern Asia and will have stems reaching 2-3-feet high. Balloon Flower is used in traditional Chinese medicine. In Korea these plants have culinary usage. In Japan these flowers are included in the Seven Flowers of Autumn which since the Nara Period (710-794) have inspired poetry and art. Continue reading →

…as though you expected to find some strange presence behind you coming through the diamond-paneled bay window of your sanctum a crimson-flowered silk dressing gown…             -Keith Waldrop Silk Tree, Albizia julibrissin in flower presents a curious, powder-puff-like flower, comprised … Continue reading →