Gardeners’ Top Picks September 2019
See what’s blooming during Cheekwood Harvest! Our garden team has hand selected their top plant picks for September from 8 of our distinct gardens. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds.
White Gaura, Whirling Butterflies (Gaura lindheimeri ‘Sparkle White’)
Bloom Time: June – Frost
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer, wet soil
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Great for wildflower gardens
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Turner Seasons Garden: Summer Section/Trains Display
Hollow Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum)
Bloom Time: July – September
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer, wet soil
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Good cut flower, rain garden plant
Zones: 4 – 9
Location: Herb Study Garden
Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘National Arboretum’)
Bloom Time: August – October
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Tolerates: Drought, erosion, wet soil
Native to North America: No
Other: Rain garden plant
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden
Hinoki False Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Native to North America: No
Other: Specimen tree, year round interest
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Shōmu-en, Blevins Japanese Garden
Stinking Cedar (Torreya taxifolia)
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Endangered species, rain garden plant
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Howe Garden
Leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)
Bloom Time: July – September
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Erosion, clay soil
Native to North America: No
Other: Groundcover, true blue flowers, great fall color
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Wills Perennial Garden
Japanese Anemone (Anemone x ‘September Charm’)
Bloom Time: August – October
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Naturalize
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Robinson Family Water Garden
Turtlehead (Chelone lyoniii ‘Hot Lips’)
Bloom Time: July – September
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer, erosion, wet soil
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Naturalize, rain garden
Zones: 3 – 8
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
