A tree that blooms in the fall?

[OnionPatch]

Every fall I keep seeing these gorgeous trees around town that are blooming like mad. It drives me crazy not knowing what they are. I asked a guy in the store where these trees grew outside. He didn't have a clue. :( They have big, darkish pink, really showy blossoms, a little like orchids, with droopy petals and the trees are just covered with these blooms every fall. The trees themselves are fairly large, maybe 20 ft. I wish I had a picture of one to post but there can't be all that many trees that bloom in the fall. I'm hoping someone will take a guess then I can google and see if they are right. By the way, I'm in southern California. I see these trees down in the warmer elevations where it doesn't usually freeze in the winter. Haven't seen them up here at higher elevations so they must be a little frost tender.

Thanks for any suggestions. If I get a chance, I'll take a picture.

[tekisui]

1. My first guess, on what you say is an Oleander.

Check the pics at this site for comparision:
http://cals.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Nerium_oleander.html



Or Crepe Mrytle:

[OnionPatch]

2. Thanks, but it's not those.

I almost forgot I posted this because there were no responses for so long.

Thanks for your help, but I know both of those plants well, and the one I'm talking about isn't them. The blooms are much bigger. Each individual bloom is about 3-4 inches across and has drooping, pink petals, almost like an iris. I had a better look at it today and noticed that the leaves are in groups of five.

Sigh. This is a tough one. I'm pretty good at identifying plants, but this one has me stumped. I'm going to try to get a picture to post.

[CC]

3. Maybe a Floss Silk tree?

A couple of pictures. It does bloom in the fall.

[OnionPatch]

6. That's it!!

:bounce: Thanks, CC!

I looked it up and it will grow in my zone! :D My book says it comes in different shades of red and pink, and there's another species that blooms pale yellow. I can't wait to get one planted. It will be fun having spring-like color in the fall.

Thanks for solving that mystery for me!

[CC]

9. Glad I could help.

I used your second description along with location and hunted it down on the google. :) It looks like a really pretty tree but it won't grow here. sigh


Edited to add- I was looking up stuff anyway because my azaleas are blooming for the second time this year. Trying to find out if that means no blooms next spring.

[tekisui]

10. A lot of Azaleas will bloom twice in one year.

Some that do are called encore azaleas. I can't say for sure, but you should get blooms in the Spring.

Nice work on tracking down the tree, I've never seen one.

[Blue Gardener]

4. Do you have a county extension service office

I'll bet they know what you're talking about.

[OnionPatch]

8. Yes, we have one.

I took the Master Gardeners Program from them. I should have thought to call them. One of the ways we could log volunteer hours was man the phones and answer questions like that. I never feel experienced enough to do it, though. I would have bombed out on the Silk Floss tree, for sure. :blush: Now if I had had access to the internet and DU gardening forum maybe I would have given it a shot. ;)

[Why Syzygy]

5. Here's a link

for a site with pictures of blooming trees in your area:
http://arboretum.arizona.edu/bloom/fall.html

[OnionPatch]

7. Cool site.

And the Silk Floss tree was the first one on the list!