Chimes Tower District

Osmanthus heterophyllus is a broadleaf, evergreen shrub, indigenous to Korea, Taiwan and Japan, with glossy, deep green leaves with spines that resemble hollies. The little white blossoms that appear in October and November fill the garden with fragrance.  ‘Gulftide’ is a selection that grows to 5 feet tall and 3 feet across. It thrives in either sun or partial shade, and any type of soil, even dense clay.  Holly osmanthus is not eaten by deer and has no serious pests or diseases and can be cultivated as an individual specimen, combined with other shrubs, or shaped into a lovely hedge.

Beautyberry is a deciduous shrub with tiny, lavender flowers in summer, which form into showy, bright purple fruit that cover the arching slender branches in autumn. This tall shrub makes a lovely impact in the Garden with its burst of autumn color, whether as a single specimen or when planted in mass.  The fruit also provides a food source for many birds.

Amsonia hubrichtii, brings a golden glow to the autumn garden as its fine, feathery green foliage turns brilliant yellow. This perennial native to Arkansas and Oklahoma also produces clusters of pale blue, star-shaped flowers in spring. Its name honors Leslie Hubricht, who encountered the plant in Arkansas in 1942, a lasting botanical tribute to a naturalist best known for his work with freshwater and land snails.

Chrysanthemum 'Hillside Sheffield' is a charming, hardy perennial known for its soft, apricot-pink daisy-like blooms that appear in late fall, often blooming well into November. Beloved by pollinators and gardeners alike, it adds a welcome splash of color when most other flowers are fading. This heirloom variety is known as a Korean hybrid, and has since become a cottage garden favorite for its easygoing nature and graceful, informal habit. Once established, 'Hillside Sheffield' returns year after year, thriving in full sun with minimal fuss.