What's in Bloom: October

Euonymus americanus
Native Azalea Collection

Inconspicuous spring flowers become showy seed pods in early fall. The textured pink seed pods of this native shrub burst open, exposing striking orange fruit that contrast against its bright green leaves and stems.

Cornus foemina
Swan Pond

Clusters of deep blue fruit adorn these small trees native to the southeastern United States. The genus name Cornus means “horn” and is in reference to the tree’s strong wood.

Osmanthus armatus
Orange Balustrade

Small white flowers produce a sweet, wafting fragrance throughout this area of the garden. This large evergreen shrub is similar to the evergreen hollies (Ilex) planted nearby, but the leaf arrangements on Osmanthus are opposite, while Ilex is alternate.

Osmanthus heterophyllus
Hillcrest Pavilion

Blooming from late fall into early winter, this evergreen tree produces small, fragrant cream-colored flowers. Unlike Osmanthus armatus, this species’ leaves tend to have toothed margins rather than smooth.

Taxodium distichum (common baldcypress)

This stately deciduous conifer produces a showy display of fall color, with needles turning a deep orange color before falling off. When growing near water, baldcypress trees produce cone-like, above-ground root shoots called “knees”.

Callicarpa americana
Native Azalea Collection

These native shrubs produce clusters of bright purple fruit along its branches, hanging on to the plant into early winter after the leaves fall off.