what's blooming in october

SEPTEMBER   |  NOVEMBER

Botanical Name:
Colchicum ‘Waterlily’

Common Name:
Autumn Crocus

Family:
Colchicaceae

Native Region:
Eastern Europe to North America

Description:
Though the colchicums are not related to the true crocuses, the common name ‘Autumn Crocus’ aptly describes the appearance and growth habit of the species. The plants stay dormant and leafless during the summer with flowers starting to appear from early fall, followed by leaves. The large, pinkish-purple flowered hybrid ‘Waterlily’ has double flowers on fairly short stems.

Garden Locations:
O’Fallon Perennial Walk, Shady Lane
 

Botanical Name:
Ilex verticillata

Common Name:
Common winterberry

Family:
Aquifoliaceae

Native Region:
Eastern & Central United States

Description:
This is a deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub often found in wet areas in the wild.  It usually grows 6-10’ tall and 4-8’ wide with a tendency to sucker. Its white flowers in the spring are not particularly showy; however, the real show comes in the fall with clusters of vibrant red berries held close to the stem. These “show stopping” berries can last well into the winter - that’s if the birds don’t eat them all first. This fruit develops on the female plants which require a male pollinator plant nearby.  Winterberry prefers moist, acidic soils but will tolerate poorly drained soils. It provides beautiful winter interest in the garden and attracts wildlife.

Garden Location:
Birds & Bees Walk
 

Botanical Name:
Ixora ‘Maui’

Common Name:
Jungle Flame

Family:
Rubiaceae

Native Region:
Cultivated, unknown botanical origin

Description:
Ixora is a woody shrub in the Rubiaceae or coffee family. The genus Ixora has been widely cultivated and hybridized as a tropical ornamental often pruned into a hedge or grown as a bonsai. Inflorescences of Ixora are clustered and individually the flowers have long tubular forms that likely lead to pollination by hummingbirds. The red flowers of Ixora are used in Hindu ceremonies and certain parts of the plant are valued in folk medicine remedies. 

Garden Location:
Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory
 

Botanical Name:
Machaeranthera biglovii

Common Name:
Bigelow Aster

Family:
Asteraceae

Native Region:
Western USA

Description:
A native wildflower, growing to a height of 1-3 feet, producing purple daisy-like flowers in the summer, this plant is attractive to wildlife. The flowers are a source of nectar for bees and butterflies, and songbirds feed on the seeds.

Garden Location:
Plains Garden