November, marking the transition into early winter in the Gregorian calendar, surprisingly hosts a diverse array of flowers that continue to bloom despite the encroaching chill. This resilience in the face of cooler temperatures offers gardeners and nature enthusiasts a vibrant palette even as the year draws to a close.
In this article, we’ll explore ten remarkable flowers that grace us with their presence in November, each bringing its unique charm to the late autumn landscape:
When considering flowers that bloom in November, rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) immediately stands out. This evergreen herb primarily blossoms from November through April, with occasional flowering in the cooler months of June and July in some climates.
During its blooming period, rosemary’s upper branches and stem tips are adorned with delicate flowers ranging from pale blue to white. These small, tubular blossoms often nestle among the needle-like leaves, creating a subtle yet charming display. Also known as “Dew of the Sea,” rosemary thrives in warm, Mediterranean-like climates with well-drained soil and ample sunlight.
Rosemary is not only ornamental but also a valuable aromatic herb. Throughout its growing season, it emits a distinctive, refreshing scent rich in volatile oils. This fragrance is believed to invigorate the mind, while the herb itself has been traditionally used to aid digestion and alleviate stomach discomfort.
Native to the Mediterranean coasts of Europe and Northern Africa, rosemary has been cultivated for centuries, with major commercial production centered in Southern Europe. The herb was introduced to China during the Cao Wei period (220-266 CE) and has since become an established crop.
Today, rosemary is primarily cultivated in the warmer regions of Southern China and the temperate Shandong province, where climate conditions suit its growth requirements.
In garden settings, rosemary serves multiple purposes: as a culinary herb, an ornamental plant, and a beneficial addition to pollinator gardens. Its drought tolerance and deer resistance make it a popular choice for low-maintenance landscaping in suitable climates.
Among the numerous flowers that bloom in November, the tea olive (Osmanthus fragrans) undoubtedly ranks as one of the most cherished. While it shares its common name with tea, it actually belongs to the Oleaceae family, which includes olives and jasmine, rather than the Camellia family. The tea olive is indeed one of the nationally protected plants in China due to its cultural significance and ornamental value.
Its golden-yellow flowers, particularly those of the variety Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus, are strikingly beautiful. The blossoms appear as if they are covered with a layer of wax, giving them a crystal-clear, glossy, and semi-transparent look. These tiny, but profuse flowers bloom in clusters at the leaf axils, opening up into delicate, four-petaled structures rather than cup, pot, or bowl shapes.
The golden-yellow variety was indeed first documented by Chinese botanists in the Nanning region of Guangxi in the 1960s, though it had been cultivated for centuries prior. This discovery helped to formally classify this particular variety.
Internationally, the tea olive is highly regarded for its intense fragrance and is often used in perfumery and tea flavoring. While it’s not typically referred to as the “magical oriental tea” or the “panda of the plant world,” it is sometimes called the “fragrant olive” or “sweet olive” in English-speaking countries.
The tea olive is prized not only for its beauty and fragrance but also for its cultural significance in East Asian countries, particularly China and Japan. Its flowers are used in traditional medicine, cuisine, and religious ceremonies. The plant is known for its exceptional cold hardiness among evergreen flowering shrubs, able to withstand temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F) in some varieties.
Cultivation of tea olive requires well-draining, slightly acidic soil and a position with full sun to partial shade. Regular pruning after flowering helps maintain its shape and promote dense growth. With proper care, tea olive can be a long-lived and rewarding addition to gardens, providing both visual appeal and a delightful fragrance during its blooming season.
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi), renowned for its striking winter blooms, is a cherished houseplant that flowers from late autumn through early spring. This epiphytic succulent, native to the coastal mountains of southeast Brazil, is also known as Thanksgiving cactus or holiday cactus, depending on its specific blooming period.
The plant’s vibrant, tubular flowers emerge from the tips of leaf-like stem segments, cascading in shades of pink, red, white, or purple. These uniquely shaped blossoms, coupled with the plant’s arching growth habit, make it an exceptional choice for hanging baskets or as a tabletop accent.
Despite its common name, the Christmas cactus is not a true cactus and has different care requirements. It thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers a humid environment with well-draining, organic-rich soil. During its active growing season (spring and summer), keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in fall to encourage bud formation.
To promote blooming, Christmas cacti require a period of shorter days and cooler nights. From late September, they should receive 12-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness daily, with temperatures between 60-68°F (15-20°C). Once buds form, resume normal care to prevent bud drop.
While the Christmas cactus can tolerate brief exposure to temperatures as low as 50°F (10°C), it’s best to protect it from cold drafts and extreme temperature fluctuations. For optimal health and longevity, maintain indoor temperatures between 65-70°F (18-21°C) during the day and slightly cooler at night.
Propagation is easily achieved through stem cuttings, making it simple to share this long-lived plant with friends and family. With proper care, a Christmas cactus can thrive for decades, providing seasonal beauty and becoming a cherished holiday tradition.
The chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.), revered as one of China’s ten most celebrated flowers and a member of the esteemed “Four Gentlemen” in Chinese culture (alongside plum blossom, orchid, and bamboo), holds a distinguished position in global floriculture.
It ranks among the world’s four principal cut flowers (with rose, carnation, and lily) and boasts the highest commercial production volume. Its autumnal flowering period, typically spanning from September to November, has cemented its status as the quintessential flower of fall.
The genus Chrysanthemum encompasses a diverse array of cultivated varieties, each with unique characteristics:
Additionally, several wild relatives contribute to the chrysanthemum family’s diversity:
Beyond their ornamental appeal, chrysanthemums offer significant medicinal value. Traditional Chinese Medicine has long utilized chrysanthemum flowers for their potential health benefits. Modern research suggests that chrysanthemum tea, rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds, may possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.
While regular consumption of chrysanthemum tea is associated with various health benefits, it’s important to note that scientific evidence for longevity claims remains limited.
Cultivation tips for chrysanthemums:
Whether grown for their stunning floral displays, potential health benefits, or cultural significance, chrysanthemums continue to captivate gardeners and flower enthusiasts worldwide, painting the autumn landscape with their vibrant hues and diverse forms.
The poinsettia, a quintessential holiday plant, begins its spectacular display in late autumn, typically October or November, and can maintain its colorful bracts well into March under proper care conditions.
Also known as Christmas Star, Mexican flame leaf, or Noche Buena, the poinsettia’s true flowers are inconspicuous. These small, yellow structures called cyathia are clustered at the center of the colorful bracts, often overlooked amidst the plant’s showy display.
The plant’s most striking feature is its large, leaf-like bracts, which are often mistaken for flower petals. These bracts come in a variety of colors, including the classic bright red, as well as pink, white, orange, and even marbled varieties. The coloration of these bracts is triggered by photoperiodism, responding to longer nights as winter approaches.
Native to Mexico and Central America, not Brazil, the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) thrives in warm, humid environments with plenty of indirect sunlight. It’s sensitive to cold and requires protection from frost and drafts.
While adaptable, poinsettias are not frost-hardy and are typically grown as indoor plants in colder regions. In USDA hardiness zones 9-11, they can be cultivated outdoors as perennial shrubs, reaching heights of up to 10-15 feet.
In warmer parts of China, poinsettias grace outdoor landscapes in gardens and parks. In cooler northern regions, they’re primarily grown as potted plants in greenhouses or as seasonal indoor decorations. Their vibrant bracts and rich green foliage make them highly prized for their ornamental value, particularly during the winter months when other flowering plants are scarce.
Proper care, including appropriate light exposure, consistent moisture, and protection from extreme temperatures, is crucial for maintaining the poinsettia’s colorful display throughout its blooming period.
The Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae), also known as the crane flower, is a striking tropical plant that typically blooms in winter. Native to South Africa, it has become a popular ornamental species in parks and gardens of major cities in southern China, while in northern regions it is primarily cultivated in controlled greenhouse environments.
The foliage of the Bird of Paradise is distinctive and visually appealing. Its leaves are long, ovate, and spear-shaped, measuring 25-45 cm in length and approximately 10 cm in width. The leaf apex is acutely pointed, and the petioles are slender yet sturdy, supporting the large leaf blades.
The inflorescence of the Bird of Paradise is truly spectacular. Multiple flowers emerge from a boat-shaped bract called a spathe, which serves as a protective structure. The spathe is predominantly green with purplish-red margins, creating a striking contrast.
The sepals of the flower are a vibrant orange-yellow, while the petals display a rich, dark blue hue. This unique color combination, along with the flower’s shape, is reminiscent of an exotic bird in flight, hence its common name.
One of the most remarkable features of the Bird of Paradise is its extended blooming period. A single plant can remain in flower for approximately 100 days, with individual blooms lasting 13-15 days. The plant exhibits a sequential flowering pattern, where as one flower fades, another opens, ensuring a continuous display of color and form.
As a cut flower, the Bird of Paradise is highly prized for its longevity and dramatic appearance. When properly cared for, cut stems can maintain their beauty for 15-20 days in a vase.
Floral designers often incorporate Bird of Paradise flowers into natural-style arrangements, combining them with complementary foliage and blooms. The flower’s unique form and vibrant colors evoke the image of a pair of graceful birds in an intimate dance, making it an excellent choice for sophisticated indoor decorations.
The Bird of Paradise requires specific cultural conditions to thrive, including well-draining soil, bright light, and consistent moisture. In tropical and subtropical climates, it can be grown outdoors year-round, while in cooler regions, it is best cultivated as a container plant that can be moved indoors during colder months.
With proper care, this exotic beauty can bring a touch of tropical splendor to any space, whether in a garden, conservatory, or as part of an interior landscape design.
Beautyberry (Callicarpa species) is a striking shrub known not for its long blooming period, but for its vibrant purple berries that persist well into fall and winter. Native to various parts of Asia, North America, and Australia, beautyberry belongs to the Lamiaceae family (formerly Verbenaceae). It’s a deciduous woody shrub that thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5-8, depending on the species.
The flowers of beautyberry are indeed small and inconspicuous, typically appearing in late summer. They grow in tight clusters along the stems, with colors ranging from white to pale pink or lavender. While not particularly showy, these flowers are attractive to pollinators.
After flowering, beautyberry produces its signature fruit: clusters of bright purple berries that encircle the stems. These berries are the plant’s most ornamental feature, providing vivid color in the landscape from late summer through fall and often persisting into winter.
Beautyberry is an excellent choice for various landscape applications. It works well in mixed borders, woodland gardens, and naturalized areas. The arching branches and colorful berries make it a standout specimen plant. In urban settings, it can be used effectively in parks, along walkways, or in large planters.
When planning a beautyberry planting, consider the following:
Whether planted in groups or as a single specimen, beautyberry offers visual interest throughout the growing season, culminating in a spectacular display of purple berries that brightens the autumn landscape.
Dahlias are among the most spectacular flowers that grace gardens in November. These vibrant perennials boast an impressive blooming period stretching from June to November, with their fruiting season occurring from September to October. Dahlias grow from large, elongated tubers that resemble small batons.
Characterized by their upright stems and numerous branches, dahlias are robust plants that typically reach heights of 1.5 to 2 meters (5 to 6.5 feet). Their flowers showcase an extraordinary range of colors, including classic shades of red, yellow, orange, purple, pink, and white, as well as an array of more nuanced and complex hues. The diversity of dahlia cultivars offers gardeners an extensive palette of colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from.
Originating from Mexico, dahlias hold a special place in the country’s cultural heritage. Revered for their beauty and abundance, these flowers symbolize generosity and splendor, earning them the prestigious status of Mexico’s national flower.
The world of dahlias is vast and varied, with thousands of cultivars recognized by horticultural societies. This incredible diversity, combined with their striking appearance, has cemented dahlias’ position as one of the most celebrated flowers globally. Their popularity extends beyond ornamental use, as dahlias also possess certain medicinal properties.
The tuberous roots of dahlias contain inulin, a type of dietary fiber with potential health benefits. Inulin acts as a prebiotic, supporting digestive health and potentially aiding in blood sugar management. Additionally, in traditional medicine, dahlias have been used to promote blood circulation and alleviate blood stasis, though more research is needed to fully understand and validate these effects.
Cultivating dahlias requires attention to detail, particularly in regions with cold winters. While they’re perennials, their tubers are frost-sensitive and may need to be lifted and stored in colder climates to ensure survival for the next growing season. This extra effort is well rewarded, as dahlias provide a spectacular late-season display that few other flowers can match, bringing vibrant color to gardens when many other blooms have faded.
The Red Bauhinia (Bauhinia blakeana), also known as the Hong Kong Orchid Tree, is a striking ornamental tree belonging to the Fabaceae family. This evergreen species typically reaches heights of 6-12 meters, creating an impressive display in urban landscapes and gardens alike. Its flowering period extends from late autumn through early spring, usually November to April, offering a vibrant spectacle during cooler months.
The flowers of the Red Bauhinia are its most distinctive feature, measuring up to 15 centimeters in diameter – roughly the size of an adult’s hand. These blossoms showcase a rich magenta to purplish-red hue, with occasional variations in pink tones.
Each flower comprises five petals arranged in a symmetrical, orchid-like formation, which explains its colloquial name “Orchid Tree”. During peak bloom, the tree becomes a magnificent canopy of color, with flowers densely covering its branches.
One of the Red Bauhinia’s notable characteristics is its year-round foliage. The leaves are large, bilobed, and glossy, resembling a cow’s hoof print, which gives rise to another common name, “Cow’s Hoof Tree”. This persistent greenery, combined with the tree’s remarkable tolerance for urban pollutants and dust, makes it an excellent choice for street plantings and city parks.
The Red Bauhinia offers more than just visual appeal. When in full bloom, the flowers emit a subtle, sweet fragrance reminiscent of orchids, enhancing its sensory impact in the landscape. This scent, although not overpowering, adds to the tree’s charm and contributes to its popularity in public spaces and private gardens.
It’s worth noting that the Red Bauhinia is sterile and does not produce viable seeds, which is why it’s primarily propagated through grafting or air layering. This characteristic also means it doesn’t become invasive, a valuable trait for urban planning and landscape management.
As the floral emblem of Hong Kong, the Red Bauhinia holds cultural significance beyond its ornamental value, symbolizing the region’s resilience and beauty. Its ability to thrive in various soil types and its moderate drought tolerance once established further contribute to its widespread use in tropical and subtropical climates around the world.
What flowers bloom in November? Among the late-season bloomers, the Chinese rose stands out as a quintessential autumn flower, gracing gardens with its vibrant presence well into October and November.
The Chinese rose, scientifically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, is also referred to as the China rose, Frost-Resisting Flower, or Wooden Lotus. This versatile plant can grow as a small tree or shrub, originating from the diverse landscapes of the Yellow River Basin, East China, and South China. Its impressive blooming period extends from August through November, providing a colorful spectacle as many other plants begin to fade.
The flowers of the Chinese rose come in a variety of hues, including pristine white, delicate pink, and bold red. Their appearance is often likened to a lotus emerging from water, with petals unfurling in a similarly magnificent manner. The plant’s terrestrial habitat and woody structure have earned it the poetic nickname “wooden lotus.”
One of the most fascinating characteristics of the Chinese rose is its daily transformation. The flowers undergo noticeable changes in appearance three times within a single day, leading to its alternative name, the “Three-Change Flower.” This unique trait adds an element of dynamism to the garden, rewarding observant gardeners with an ever-changing display.
The Chinese rose’s ability to withstand cooler temperatures and continue blooming into late autumn has earned it the moniker “Frost-Resisting Flower.” This resilience allows it to embody the essence of deep autumn, standing proud and colorful even as other plants succumb to the approaching winter.
Beyond its ornamental value, the Chinese rose offers medicinal benefits. Both the flowers and leaves have been used in traditional medicine for their various properties. They are believed to have heat-clearing, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and hemostatic effects. However, it’s important to note that any medicinal use should be under professional guidance.
In Chinese culture, the Chinese rose holds special significance. It has been chosen as the city flower of Chengdu, symbolizing the city’s beauty and resilience. In the language of flowers, the Chinese rose represents delicate beauty, chastity, and purity, making it a popular choice for both gardens and symbolic gestures.
Gardeners looking to extend the flowering season in their landscapes will find the Chinese rose to be an excellent choice. Its late blooming period, coupled with its cultural significance and potential medicinal uses, makes it a valuable addition to any garden seeking to capture the fleeting beauty of autumn.
Peggie was once a high school mathematics teacher, but she set aside her chalkboard and textbooks to follow her lifelong passion for flowers. After years of dedication and learning, she not only established a thriving flower shop but also founded this blog, “Flowers Library”. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about flowers, feel free to contact Peggie.
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