Corydalis ‘Blackberry Wine’

I went out at lunch today to see what flowers might be worthy of recognition on this month’s GBBD.  It turns out it was not hard at all to find flowers still in bloom or even some that are already anticipating the springtime to come.  The Corydalis shown above is particularly worthy of note for its long lasting, exquisite flowers and lovely foliage.  I’ve really come to admire the Corydalis family.  As a group they have ferny foliage, many different flower colors, hardiness, and love the shade.  They fit right in with Epimediums and Hellebores as multi-season, rugged shade plants for the mid-Atlantic.  I’ve planted several more this fall (there’s a choice set of possibilities at Odyssey Bulbs).

An equally stunning purple is the Salvia nemerosa ‘Caradonna’.

Salvia nemerosa ‘Caradonna’

For a plant that sometimes doesn’t get full recognition because it’s so easy to grow, a late season Salvia really stands out amid the grasses that it is surrounded by now.

It’s probably not fair to call the Allium thunbergii flowers at this point.  They are more like seed heads but very pretty nonetheless.

Allium thunbergii ‘Ozawa’ seed heads

And the one of the David Austin Roses persists with beautiful well-formed flowers.

David Austin’s ‘Crocus Rose’

Snapdragons are another plant that persists into late fall, often returning in the spring for us.

Seedling snapdragon

A reliable performer in every month of the fall for us is the Red Camellia sansanqua.

Red Fall-blooming Camellia sasanqua flower

Red Fall-blooming Camellia sasanqua bush

Besides the flowers that are extending into late fall, there are also a few that are really anticipating spring.  The double-flowered pink Camellia japonica persists in flowering ahead of time.

Double Pink Camellia Japonica flowering way too early

As does the Rhododendron up front.

Rhododendron carolinianum in November

Also the Japanese Quince is putting forth its bright red flowers, but this is less surprising since it usually needs only the slightest excuse to start flowering.

Red Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles)

So there we have it for the outside flowerings this month.  I need to close by looking at the Androsace in the small rock garden I have on the hillside.  While not exactly a flower the leaves form a wonderful pattern worth sharing…

Androsace sarmentosa ‘Rock Jasmine’ in winter clothing