AUTUMN BLOOMS ARE BEAUTIFUL TREASURES NOW

Flowers that bloom in autumn are extraordinary gems. We treasure them because they are the last holdouts before winter closes in, robbing us of blossoms for a spell before springtime offers a fresh crop and another chance of floral beauty. Check out some of our favorite autumn blooms below.

BEAUTYBERRY

The beautyberry (Callicarpa) can be the BeautifulNow mascot berry! It’s beautiful, it’s purple, and it grows fast!

You can find the beautyberry shrub growing in east and southeast Asia (where the majority of the species occur), Australia, Madagascar, southeast North America and South America.

Beautyberries have a highly distinctive metallic lustre, which shines in contrast to autumn leaves and the bare branches of winter.

They offer food for birds and animals when most other sources are done for the season.  We can eat them too. Their tart flavor makes a lovely jelly.

TOAD LILY

The toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta) is a hardy Japanese lily species that blooms through autumn. Find these beautiful flowers growing on shaded rocky cliffs and stream banks in central and southern Japan.

We love their purple and white petals. They’re part of the BeautifulNow color scheme!

MONKSHOOD

Monkshood, aka wolfsbane (Aconitum), is another beautiful burst of bluish purple that we enjoy in autumn. It belongs to a genus of over 250 species of flowering plants belonging to the Ranunculaceae family.

You can find monkshood growing mainly in the mountains of the northern hemisphere. As beautiful as they may be, they are highly poisonous. Respect.

JAPANESE ANEMONE

Japanese anenomes (Anemone hupehensis) bloom in white, pink and purple in late summer and autumn.

They are members of the Ranunculaceae family. They offer bright spots from their shady beds.

SNEEZEWEED

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) got its name from its former use as snuff. The flowers rise up in red, orange and yellow hues each autumn.

A form of sunflower, it is native to North and South America. Named after Helen of Troy, daughter of Zeus and Leda, inhaling dried Helenium petal powder is said to banish evil spirits from the body.

HEATHER

Heather (Calluna vulgaris) offers a beautiful autumn blanket to the landscape. Known for its robust white, pink or purple flowers, particularly in Scotland, the green, bronze and red foliage carry on through winter.

Heather is also found growing in other parts of Europe and Asia Minor. It prefers acidic soil and lots of sun. Sheep and cattle love to graze upon it.

AUTUMN CROCUS

Autumn crocuses (Colchicum) are similar to the spring varieties but they belong to the lily family. The delicate autumn blossoms are native to West Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Parts of this plant can both cure and kill. It contains colchicine, an alkaloid which is used pharmaceutically to treat gout and Familial Mediterranean fever. But its leaves, corms and seeds are poisonous.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by John Flannery. “Red Spotted Purple on Beautyberry.” Beautyberry.
2. Image: by JR P. “White Farmhouse and Beautyberry Bush.” Beautyberry.
3. Image: by wplynn. “Beautyberry.” Beautyberry.
4. Image: by Danny Barron. “Tricyrtis amethystinus.” Toad Lily.
5. Image: by James Gaither. “Tricyrtis formosana (syn. T. stolonifera).” Toad Lily.
6. Image: by Alan English CPA. “Monkshood - San Juan Mountains Institute Nature Walk.” Monkshood.
7. Image: by It's Me. “Aconitum.” Monkshood.
8. Image: by Satriver. “Japanese Anemone.” Japanese Anemone.
9. Image: by Mike Beales. “Japanese Anemone.” Japanese Anemone.
10. Image: by Lotus Johnson. “Helenium autumnale.” Sneezeweed.
11. Image: by Miwok. Untitled. Sneezeweed.
12. Image: by fiddledydee. “Heather in full bloom.” Heather.
13. Image: by Wonderlane. “Purple blooming heather, Bellevue, Washington, USA.” Heather.
14. Image: by JP Tonn. “Crocus.” Autumn Crocus.
15. Image: by glancs. “Colchicum autumnale - Autumn crocus.” Autumn Crocus.
16. Image: by Lotus Johnson. “Colchicum autumnale.” Autumn Crocus.
17. Image: by Drew. “Japanese Anemone.” Japanese Anemone.
18. Image: by BN App - Download now!
19. Image: by Freddie Phillips. “All Around the Blooming Heather.” Heather.