What's Blooming in November

What's Still Blooming Outside

Expecting to find nothing in bloom in our gardens today, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the two stalwart plants below with several blossoms still holding on for dear life.  This after nighttime temperatures had dipped as low as 16 degrees Fahrenheit (-9 degrees Celsius).  Both plants are versatile, longtime bloomers.

	Hardy in:  Zones 5-7   Height: 1-1.5 feet   Spread: 1-1.5 feet   Bloom Time: May-September   Bloom Color: Yellow Light: Part sun to full shade   Maintenance: Low   Flowers:  Showy   Tolerates: Dense Shade   Uses: Drifts/borders; will naturalize   Native range: Europe
Corydalis lutea (Yellow Corydalis)
	Hardy in:  Zones 3-8   Height: 0.5-0.75 feet   Spread: 2-3 feet   Bloom time: May to July   Bloom color: Pinkish lavender   Light: Part shade to full shade   Maintenance: Low   Flowers: Showy   Leaves: Variegated   Tolerates: Dry soil/dense shade   Uses: Groundcover/border;  will naturalize   Native range:  Europe
Lamium maculatum (Spotted Dead Nettle)

Congratulations to Moby, the winner of last month's Mystery Blossom Contest!  October's mystery flower was Hemerocallis 'Cherry Cheeks.'  Moby is a charter member of ATP and one of the first contributors to our comprehensive plant database.  Here is how she responded to my interview questions:

How did you come to be a gardener?

I really don't know how I became a gardener—maybe it's just my love of being outdoors. My parents had a vegetable garden for our family of seven.

How long have you been gardening?

I've always gardened some; even while living in rentals I'd plant a few tulips or some annuals for color. The first garden of my own (veggies) was when I was newly married, nearly 30 years ago. I've gotten serious about flowers in the last 15 years.

If you had a chance to give just one piece of advice to a beginning gardener, what would it be?

Grow what you love! Then you won't mind a little effort to care for it. If there is a type of plant that you know will grow in your area, then jump in with both feet.

Why did you choose this particular photo for publication?

This is what made me jump in! I wanted a Clematis and had been doing a lot of research to find the one that was right for me and where I wanted it to grow. My Mom wanted a couple of Irises so we went to a local nursery. I found the Clematis that I wanted and noticed a potted Stargazer lily. I asked the clerk if they grew here in zone 5.  She gave me an odd look and said 'yes'. "Really?" I asked, with heart palpitations. I'd always loved Oriental lilies but thought something so big, beautiful, and fragrant must surely be tropical.

Moby's favorite flower photo:  Her artful arrangement of Stargazer lilies framed with clematis vines

Do you have a favorite flower?

I now have lilies of every sort, shape, color and size but Oriental lilies are my true love.

Do you grow vegetables as well?

I do grow veggies as well, though these days it is limited to tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic and horseradish.

Do you have any other hobbies?

I have a vast and ever-changing array of hobbies. From pounding flowers to casting leaves of concrete. My next adventure is going to be dyeing silk scarves with plant materials. Perhaps my favorite hobby is learning something new!

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