November Surprise

 The drought of 2022 and total water bans that left most New England lawns brown barely affected 26 Pine Street. 'Tough natives' is one answer why our garden remained green. Rain barrels refilled during the infrequent rains is another. After our 250-gallon rainwater reserve was gone, we resorted to 'grey water' from showers and kitchen use.

We also practiced triage. Already-bloomed perennials were left to their own devices. Our scant water was lavished on the late summer and autumn bloomers. We watched with dread as immature tiarellas and heucheras withered - and hope they will return from their roots next spring.

The biggest surprise, though, came with the shortened days of October. We have had a vivid, long-lasting autumn. The photo at the top of the page is of Fothergilla gardenii 'Blue Shadow'. We have nine specimens in groups of three around the property. We purchased and planted them in 2015 because of their blue-green leaves and long-enduring white bottlebrush flowers in June. Autumn color was not part of the buying decision. But the brilliant yellow-gold leaves fairly require sunglasses. More than a few walkers have stopped, pointed, and asked, "are those real?" The answer: yes, they are.

Itea 'Little Henry' with Magnolia 
'Elizabeth' in the background.

Our Itea 'Little Henry' is also putting on a dramatic show. Virginia sweetspire is well-known for its long-lasting autumn transformation from glossy green leaves to speckled red, orange, and gold ones. It is also the last deciduous shrub to drop its leaves; and inclusion of multiple specimens of the cultivar was on our shopping list from the first draft. 

Itea's dirty little secret is that it is not well-behaved. It sends out runners to colonize any nearly open area. and patches of the shrub have become thickets. We have allowed it semi-free rein in just a few areas. One is by our garage and adjacent to our Magnolia 'Elizabeth'. Both the Itea and magnolia are in full autumn regalia in the photo just above.

Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac)

Rhus aromatica, better known as fragrant sumac, is usually planted because of its pleasant scent, white (but short-lived) flowers, and spreading habit. The 'Gro-Low' cultivar also made our plant list because it grows in marginal soil and we wanted it to cap and grow down the small hillock between our house and the street. The idea was it would be the neutral background for the more interesting specimens (Ilex and Azalea, primarily) rising above the stone wall. As the photo at left shows, our Rhus has ideas of its own. The photo is taken from the street to show what walkers and bikers see when they pass by. And, as you can see, it is also obediently beginning to trail down the hillside.

Some trees have already dropped their leaves: the Magnolia shown in the second photo is an exception. In time, our Oxydendron (sourwood) will have a colorful autumn display; but it is still too immature to look like anything other than the gangling teenager it resembles. At the base of our Betula nigra (dwarf black birch), though, is a stunning perennial Aconitum, variously called wolf's-bane or monkshood.  It is one of the plants we lavished water on back in July and August, and it has rewarded us with a flowering of vivid blue purple flowers. It has grows from a single plant to a small colony. 

Viburnum Winterthur

In our back garden, our two specimens of Viburnum 'Winterthur' have had their purple berry clusters picked clean by our colony of overwintering  birds, but their show continues with leaves now red-purple at the top of the shrub and green/yellow/pink at the base. Adjacent to those specimens are our six Vaccinium corymbosum - highbush blueberry by any other name. They've been red and gold for more than a month and are now in their final glory days; their color complements and frames the maples and oaks in the woods beyond.

highbush blueberry

It's a remarkable display and, yes, in a few weeks it will be just a memory.  But, for a month or so, New England has something no other places can boast: a riot of color, all produced by Mother Nature as part of her preparation for winter.  We're delighted our small garden shows so well and pleases so many of those passing by. 

Author's note: all photos were taken on November 5, 2022