by Lydia Holley February 3, 2025
This autumn has been mild enough to allow summer blooms to continue even as fall flowers peak. In my garden, both lantanas and camellias are blooming, a rare combination to be in flower together.
Roses are putting on their fall flush. The flowers look just as beautiful as they do in spring, perhaps even more so. It may be my imagination, but even though their leaves are starting to show some signs of age, their blooms seem larger than usual. I am enjoying every flower before they go dormant for the winter. When they have finished, some of them will leave rose hips behind. They will be used to make rose hip tea, a potent source of Vitamin D.
Next to the roses are hollies bearing loads of red berries. The combination is as delightful as it is unexpected. Another unusual pairing is purslane and pansies. Both seem happy enough with the weather—not too hot for pansies nor too cold for purslane.
Other blooms in my garden right now include Tall Verbena (Verbena bonariensis). They had bloomed during the summer and I cut them back when they went to seed. From now on, I will do that every year. They have grown again and although their flowers are smaller and are sitting on shorter stems, they are still attracting butterflies.
Some plants are just now coming into their expected time to bloom. For instance, chrysanthemums and asters are in full flower. Ornamental grasses are throwing up colorful plumes. Little bluestem has turned red and muhly grass is cotton-candy pink. Also expected are the trees turning vibrant shades of red and yellow. The entire landscape wants to be in on the show.
While the days stay mild, go outside and enjoy your garden’s color. You may have more flowers than usual this fall. Or you may not. One thing is for certain, though—their blooms will not last all winter.
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