10/19/2026
Three Garden Treats
1. & 2. Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur’ – smooth witherod
Viburnum nudum is native to the eastern and southeastern United States, found in bogs, swamps, and woods. This time of year the foliage is quite striking – the glossy green leaves turn dark red, maroon, and purple. This colorful foliage serves as a backdrop for the equally impressive berries. These dusty blue berries slowly ripen to a dark purple throughout the fall. Birds, such as cedar waxwings, will help themselves to these tasty berries that often persist into early winter. Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur’ won the Plant of the Year award in 2007 due to its notable tolerance for a wide range of soils and impressive seasonal displays. You can find this award-winning plant in our Gold Medal Garden.
3. & 4. Anemone × hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ – Japanese anemone
Magill walk is well-known for its iconic allee of swamp white oaks, but what is showing off astounding beauty this time of year are the Japanese anemones under their canopy. Simple white flowers emerge from basal foliage in August and bloom through October. Compared to dwarf anemones, these anemones are much taller. The basal foliage of this Japanese anemone reaches about 12 or 18 inches, and the flower stalks get to 4 feet tall. They spread by creeping rhizomes and, as seen in Magill walk, have no issue forming a sizable clump.
5. Cornus capitata ssp. angustata– evergreen dogwood
As many deciduous trees change color this fall, evergreen trees will remain lush backdrops to stunning fall color. This dogwood, considered evergreen or semi-evergreen, will not drop its leaves. Instead, some of the leaves may take on a deep plum tone. This tree is located in the upper Pinetum, somewhat tucked away behind the Dining Center and the new post office. It is worth making the trip down to this section of the Pinetum due to this tree’s glossy green foliage and next year’s dainty flower buds.
Text and image credit: C. Shugrue
