Gardeners’ Top Picks October 2020
There’s so much more than mums to see during Cheekwood Harvest! Check out our garden team’s top plant picks for October. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds!
Grandiflora Rose (Rosa grandiflora ‘Gold Medal’)
Bloom Time: May – November
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Heat & Humidity
Native to North America: No
Other: Fragrant; resistant to rust and powdery mildew
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Rose Study Garden
Chinese Abelia (Abelia chinesis)
Bloom Time: August – October
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies, bees
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Makes an effective hedge when planted in mass
Zones: 7 – 9
Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden
Toadlily (Tricyrtis hirta ‘Miyazaki’)
Bloom Time: August – October
Sun Requirement: Part shade – full shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Native to North America: No
Other: Plant where detailed flowers can be appreciated up close
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer & Drought
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Seed heads provide attractive garden interest in the fall
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Wills Perennial Garden
Devil’s Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa)
Bloom Time: July – August
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds
Tolerates: Drought
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Leaves present a tropical effect. Fruit is an excellent food source for birds.
Zones: 4 – 9
Location: Herb Study Garden
Goldenrod (Solidago ‘Fireworks’)
Bloom Time: September – October
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: Yes
Other: The habit of ‘Fireworks’ is graceful. Provides exceptional fall color.
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Howe Garden
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Jubilee’)
Bloom Time: May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Birds, butterfies
Tolerates: Moist soils
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Effective interplanting with rhododendrons and azaleas which share similar acidic soil requirements.
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Hardy Mum (Chrysanthemum ‘Rustic Glow’)
Bloom Time: September – frost
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Plant hardy, perennial mums for late season color and food for pollinators.
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Burr Terrace Garden
Tartarian Aster (Aster tartaricus ‘Jindai’)
Bloom Time: September – October
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Disease and insect damage
Native to North America: No
Other: This cultivar seldom needs summer pinching to control height as long as it is grown in full sun.
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
