All Hallows’ Eve in the Garden
As Halloween approaches, the world transforms into a realm of the eerie and the spine-chilling. Did you know that the natural world includes plants with names that perfectly capture the spirit of this spooky season?
This October, let’s delve into the dimension of botanical curiosities, exploring plants with names that are surprisingly reflective of Halloween. From Devil’s Claw to Witch Hazel, these botanical wonders are sure to add a touch of macabre magic to your garden.
Devil’s Claw (Proboscidea louisianica). The Devil’s Claw plant derives its eerie name from its unique seed pods. These pods bear long, twisted claws that resemble the gnarled fingers of a wicked witch. Native to the American Southwest, this plant’s spiky appearance makes it a striking addition to any Halloween-themed garden. Devil’s Claw has even been used in traditional medicine, adding a touch of mysticism to its already sinister reputation.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis). With its blood-red, teardrop-shaped flowers, the Bleeding Heart exudes an air of Gothic romance. Often referred to as “Lady in the Bath,” this perennial herbaceous plant has a name that conjures up images of ghostly apparitions. Its graceful, pendulous blooms make it a hauntingly beautiful addition to gardens, where it seems to weep crimson tears, perfectly in tune with Halloween’s melancholic atmosphere.
Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum). Arguably one of the most famous Halloween-inspired plants, the Corpse Flower lives up to its name in a truly unsettling manner. Native to Sumatra, this colossal plant is known for its enormous, foul-smelling blooms that can reach up to 10 feet in height. When it blooms, it emits a stench akin to rotting flesh, drawing flies and other insects as unwitting pollinators. Its ghastly scent and imposing presence are guaranteed to give your garden an otherworldly feel.
Ghost Orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii). Hidden deep within the swamps and forests of Florida and Cuba, the Ghost Orchid is an elusive and mysterious plant. With its delicate blooms that appear to float in mid-air, it’s no wonder it’s called the “Ghost Orchid.” This name perfectly captures its spectral, ethereal beauty. Spotting one of these orchids in the wild is akin to encountering a ghostly apparition in the dark woods, making it a fitting addition to our Halloween-inspired plant collection.
Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri). No Halloween-themed garden would be complete without the Black Bat Flower. With its long, sinister “whiskers” that resemble a bat’s wings and its dark, velvety blooms, this plant looks as though it belongs in a witch’s potion. Native to Southeast Asia, it thrives in warm, humid conditions and adds a touch of dark mystique to any garden. The Black Bat Flower truly embodies the spirit of Halloween with its unique appearance.
Devil’s Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa). Planted during the Victorian era as a grotesque ornamental, this viciously spiny tree has a tropical appearance due to its compound, lacey leaves. It tends to grow in clusters of unbranched trunks with its spines creating a harsh boundary, which is why Native Americans used it to protect their fruiting trees and shrubs from foraging animals.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Let’s end with a native shrub whose name conjures up the best Halloween decorations and costumes out there. Witch Hazel is probably best known for its fragrance in the garden that perfumes every corner. But maybe less known is the outstanding colors the leaves turn in autumn from orange-golds to fire reds, like the flames under a witch’s cauldron.
This Halloween season, consider incorporating these spine-tingling plants into your garden to create an atmosphere that is both haunting and enchanting. From the Devil’s Walking Stick to the Ghost Orchid, nature’s collection of spooky plants will add an extra layer of intrigue to your celebrations. Embrace the dark side of botany and let these plants cast their enchanting spells on your garden.
Happy Halloween! ▼
Eric W. Wahl is Landscape Architect at Pennoni Associates, and President of the Delaware Native Plant Society.