Bogturtle's Garden- November 1-14, 2025

The Silverbell Tree that oversees where we leave the parking area is a clear yellow. Quite a spectacular tree, in Spring, found naturally near rivers in our Southern mountains. 

This one Fothergilla always takes on this spectacular red. I always wonder that this shrub is so seldom used in landscaping, as its unusual Spring flowers, slow growth rate and this Fall color should make it more popular. Another native of our Southeastern mountains, I think. And normal and dwarf sorts have become more commonly available, over the years.  

Another southern native, the Oakleaved Hydrangea is shown here in one of the most popular and vigorous sorts. From Princeton University, I think. H. quercifolia 'Snow Queen'.

Blowing away the leaves from the drive is a pleasant chore, every 3 or 4 days. And a layer of them has been added to all I put over some Daffodil bulbs I dug up. An experiment and possible alternative to planting them. Several inches of woodchips, grass clippings and leaves, with a little pelleted lime added.  

Enkianthus perulatus may not have a common name. It certainly rivals the more common 'Burning Bush'. That plant is Eyonymus  alata, I think. In the mixed shrub border by the little pool and bird feeder and would best be allowed no competition. full of a scattering of little white flowers in Spring. 

The line of Daylillies was cut down and the area covered with new woodchips. The anticipation is that a good number of Daffodils, moved from the rock garden, as being too tall, will show off, and then the Daylillies will come back. The mass of yellow, in the background, is the 3 Witch-hazel trees and the red stemmed Dogwood called, I think, Midwinter Fire. Its flowers are not spectacular, being only the middle yellow blooms with no showy bracts or pink or white that you will see with the common red or pink Dogwoods. But the stems show nicely in dull Winter. 

The wind has ripped every leaf off the unique clone of our native Witch-Hazel, H. virginiana, named 'Autumn Moon'. First shown last month. As I said, the normal clone has the flowers hidden among the leaves. I will try to get a photo in morning, when the light catches the whole tree against the dark pine behind it. 

I would say I know most plants on the acres and here, back by the Witch-Hazel and former barn is what looks like a 6 foot tall Euonymus alata or 'Burning Bush'. Never planted it, but the plant is common in S. Jersey as a great ornamental. And I see tiny red berries I never saw before on any of these.

 Very likely frost will soon blemish the multiple blooms on this Camellia, but still suprisingly to see such a heavy bloom. A yellow leaved Corylopsis pauciflora or Winterhazel is mixed in. To the right, the Holly is loaded with berries, and the first flock of Robins has arrived from the North.

More beautiful every year, this Mahonia was first presented in Ireland. M. 'Winter Sun' must not be able to develop to its best in my climate, as frost may soon inhibit or ruin the bloom. Winters, not too cold, occasionally have led to true full bloom, but still nothing like found in Ireland, where the gulf stream keeps the climate warmer than ours. 

And the wind has ripped just about every leaf off the dwarf Japanese Maple named 'Fjelheim'. Actually a 'Witches Broom' that may be the result of a virus infection. Have tried to take and twig cuttings, and will try again. Clear that only the newest of twigs keep the amazing red. 

Every year the native Shadbush, some species of Amelanchier, colors up, and I wondered why it had not. Just not noticed as I did today. And I recall it in white bloom when I first walked into the acres sold to us, planning to have a house built. 

Finally got some good shots of Hamamelis virginiana "Autumn Moon', in the Sun. The rather dull yellow flowers don't show up otherwise.

A brilliantly red Cotoneaster is in the rock garden and appropriate for that place. Maybe the dwarf sort called C. 'Tiny Tim'.

I thought I was capturing another Cotoneaster, equally red, over on the bank of shrubs against the screen that blocks the view of the potting bench, etc. But instead, I see the Colorado Blue Spruce, that is named 'Thume'. A dwarf.  And above it another Mahonia, and it also has buds. Perhaps the more common sort M. bealli.

Below seems to be that Cotoneaster in a photo from a previous year. And I could lable the photos somehow, at that time.