What’s in Bloom

Viburnum nudum ‘Longwood’ is an essential, multi-season shrub that brings beauty to the garden year-round! A cultivated variety of the native smooth witherod viburnum, this deciduous shrub features glossy green leaves, clusters of creamy white flowers in late spring, and vibrant berries that ripen from pink to deep blue in fall, often showing both colors at once for a striking two-tone effect. In autumn, the foliage turns rich shades of burgundy and purple, adding even more seasonal interest. ‘Longwood’ is prized for its compact, upright habit and excellent berry production, especially when planted near another Viburnum nudum variety for cross-pollination. It thrives in moist, acidic soils and full sun to part shade, and it's a fantastic choice for native plant gardens, pollinator habitats, or low-maintenance landscapes. Plus, it’s a hit with birds and bees alike!  

Gulf muhly also known as pink muhly grass, is like a botanical fireworks display in the fall! Native to the southeastern United States, this tough, low-maintenance ornamental grass puts on a stunning show with its airy, cloud-like plumes of pink to purplish flowers that seem to glow in the sunlight. Blooming in late summer to fall, Gulf muhly is not just eye-catching but also it’s drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant, and deer-resistant, making it a favorite for eco-friendly landscapes. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and works beautifully in mass plantings, borders, or even containers. Despite its delicate appearance, it’s a hardy plant (USDA zones 6–10) that brings a soft, ethereal touch to gardens with almost no fuss.

Growing to a height of three to four feet, white snakeroot is a fibrously rooted, native perennial that can be found in forests, thickets, and woodland margins. This plant can take full sun to part shade and prefers moist, rich conditions. The wonderful white flowers that occur late in the season, when flowers such as these are hard to come by, make it a wonderful addition to the garden.

Dahlias are bold, beautiful bloomers known for their dazzling variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, ranging from petite pom-poms to giant dinner-plate-sized flowers! Native to the highlands of Mexico and Central America, dahlias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, blooming from mid-summer until frost. With over 40 species and thousands of cultivars, there's a dahlia for nearly every garden style. They're not just garden showstoppers, they also hold cultural significance. The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico, celebrated for its vibrant beauty and indigenous roots. Although they grow as perennials in warm climates (zones 8–10), gardeners in cooler regions often dig up and store the tubers over winter. With a little care, dahlias reward growers with months of spectacular blooms.

In addition to fragrant, white, spring flowers and interesting green stems and thorns, the citrus-like fruit of this thorny shrub gives it a unique interest in late summer and early autumn.  The small fruits will turn from green to orange and have a slightly sour and acidic taste.  The skin can be candied or made into marmalade. 

Affectionately known as the snail vine or corkscrew vine, is a tropical twining plant that turns heads with its stunning, spiral-shaped flowers that resemble tiny, colorful snails. Native to Central and South America, this vigorous climber is valued for its creamy white to purple blooms with a delightful, sweet fragrance often compared to grapes or hyacinths. The name caracalla comes from the Latin for "spiral-shaped shell," perfectly describing its unusual floral curls. A true sun lover, the snail vine thrives in warm climates (USDA zones 9–11), and while it's perennial in the tropics, it can be grown as an annual in cooler regions. With its dramatic blooms and fast growth, Cochliasanthus caracalla is a favorite for arbors, trellises, and anyone looking to add a whimsical touch to the garden.

Malabar spinach isn’t a true spinach, but it sure plays the part, especially in hot weather when regular spinach wilts! Native to South Asia, this tropical, fast-growing vine thrives in the heat and produces thick, glossy leaves that are packed with nutrients and perfect for stir-fries, soups, and salads.  With its lush, vining habit and pretty pink or white flowers, it’s as beautiful as it is tasty. It loves full sun, rich soil, and a trellis to climb, and once it gets going, it’s hard to stop! Bonus: it’s a warm-season perennial in tropical zones (USDA 10–11), but can be grown as an annual in cooler climates, so give it a try! 

Lantana camara, is a vibrant and versatile annual in our region. It grows as a dense, spreading shrub  and can reach up to six feet in height and spread, making it an excellent choice for creating a quick and vibrant hedge or ground cover (or in this case as a Longwood standard). It is native to the West Indies and Mexico to Tropical America and is well known for its striking colorful blooms. The plant features dense rounded clusters of flowers in shades ranging from bright yellows and oranges to pinks, purples, and reds, often changing colors as they mature. Its lush, dark green foliage enhances the vivid floral display. The foliage is aromatic when crushed. Its fruit is a cluster of small black drupes resembles a blackberry. A standard is a plant which is trained into a tree form with a long bare trunk and full, shaped top or “head”. Standards can take anywhere from one to six years to reach display size. Some standards are grafted but not all – it depends on the plant species used.

With a variety of fruit shapes and sizes, ornamental peppers provide interest and vibrant colors to the autumn garden. These low maintenance annuals are good in containers or as bedding plants.

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’, is a standout late-season bloomer that brings a splash of vibrant lavender-blue flowers to the fall garden. Native to the central and eastern U.S., this tough, drought-tolerant perennial forms a tidy, bushy mound and blooms profusely from late summer into frost, providing crucial nectar for pollinators when few other flowers remain. The foliage lives up to its name—crush a leaf, and you’ll notice a pleasant, minty aroma. ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ is often praised for its long bloom time, resistance to mildew, and ability to thrive in poor or rocky soils. It performs best in full sun and well-drained soil, and makes a beautiful, low-maintenance addition to native plant gardens, borders, or naturalized areas. Bonus: it's also deer-resistant!