Fading Leaves and Late Blooms: The Gardens in Transition

As October winds down, the Gardens have entered a peaceful in-between moment that quiet beauty that comes when fall color lingers and late-season flowers still shine through.

Fading Leaves and Late Blooms: The Gardens in Transition

Though much of the brilliant foliage has passed its peak, warm tones still fill the landscape. From the Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple and Shagbark Hickory to the glowing Dogwood ‘Midwinter Fire’, Dwarf Sumac, and Firespire American Hornbeam, the Gardens remain a tapestry of soft golds and russet reds.

Many shrubs are at their “last look,” with leaves clinging despite recent winds. It’s a fleeting but lovely time, a reminder to savor these final bursts of color before they fade into November’s calm.

Quiet Blooms Holding On

Even as the trees and shrubs settle for the season, a few perennials continue to brighten the pathways. You’ll find Chrysanthemums and Monkshood still in bloom, along with a few delicate Saffron Crocus adding pops of purple in the gardens. Their resilience adds just the right touch of color to this serene late-autumn palette.

A Season of Reflection

The landscapes are shifting from vibrancy to rest, but there’s still so much beauty to take in, especially in the Sunken Garden, Meadow Garden, and Wellness Garden, where light filters through the remaining leaves in soft, golden tones.

Take a quiet stroll through Rotary Botanical Gardens before the season officially comes to a close. These final weeks of autumn offer a peaceful invitation to slow down, breathe in the crisp air, and enjoy nature’s gentle transition.

Rotary Botanical Gardens is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October, then switches November 1 to our post season hours, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Volunteer Spotlight

Each week, our dedicated volunteers record the What’s in Bloom report to help you make the most of your visit. Thank you to Melissa Lauer, Sue Ipsen, Susan Spears, and Cathy Fernan, each monitors a set of gardens weekly to track blooms and seasonal color across the grounds. Your careful observations make these updates possible.