November Blooms

November offers visitors the remainders of autumn blooms, fall foliage, and winter interest plants. Here are a few to seek out during your next visit.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
The deciduous holly is native to eastern North America where it can be found in swamps, damp thickets, low woods, and along ponds and streams. Come wintertime, winterberry provides clusters of bright red berries offer late-season interest. The showy berries will persist through the cold months to provide food for wildlife throughout the season and into early spring. 
Location(s): Throughout the Garden 

Japanese stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia)
These small, slow-growing, deciduous trees are native to the mountains of Japan and the Korean peninsula. The flowers of the tree are cup-shaped and camellia-like, appearing in early summer. Come autumn, the elliptic, dark green foliage turns attractive shades of reddish-orange and burgundy.  In winter, the exfoliating, reddish-brown bark provides good winter color and interest.
Location(s): Cottage, Lawn, and Winter Gardens 

Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Native to prairies, fields, clearings, and other open areas, this grass used to cover vast prairie regions of central North America. When mature, the grass can be found anywhere from two to four feet tall, occasionally reaching five feet in height. Little bluestem gets its name from the lavender-blue color on the base of its stems, but the grass also has a tinge of blue appearing at the end of its slender leaves. Come fall, the foliage will turn a bronze-orange color. In the winter, the plant offers a wealth of oil-rich seeds for small birds to feast on while also providing protective habitat for birds and small mammals to shelter from the wintry weather.
Location(s): Lawn and Entry Gardens, The Court, and Garden of Inspiration