Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’

All growing season I stare at the green, undulating mound of Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ in the Entrance Garden and question its place in the garden. For most of the warm months it’s just a nondescript green. Then October rolls around and the saying, “to everything there is a season” comes to mind as the aromatic aster bursts into bloom. One can’t help but stare at the cloud of blue. Pollinators find it enticing too! Blooms occur over a near month-long period. North Creek Nursery recommends cutting back after flowering has concluded to prevent the spread of variable seedlings. Photo credit: R. Robert

Callicarpa [Purple Pearls^®] = ‘NCCX1’

Callicarpa Purple Pearls^®, planted in a mixed shrub border atop a retaining wall of the Bond Residence Hall Courtyard has caught my attention all season long. Clusters of pink flowers flanking the shrubs stems have given way to large mauve-purple fruits. Unlike other languid beauty berries the stems of Purple Pearls^® are upright allowing one to appreciate the plant in fruit from afar. Leaves take on purple hues in autumn. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Salvia uliginosa

I’ve already wrote that I have a thing for salvia. If there was a downside to these diverse and colorful beauties it’d be that many aren’t winter hardy in our area. One exception has been Salvia uliginosa. Winter hardiness to zone 6a has been reported. The Brazilian native boasts sky blue flowers atop willowy 4’-6’ stems. Happy clumps expand over time. Despite the resemblance to the word ugly, the specific epithet is derived from the Latin word uliginos which means “damp”, “marshy”, or “wet” referring to the plants native habitat conditions. Despite this, the species is highly tolerant of dry soil conditions. Photo credit: J. Coceano