Gardeners’ Top Picks September 2020
As the autumn season sets in, our gardens become a canvas for fall florals. From cardinal flowers to the ever-popular chrysanthemums that steal the show, there’s so much to see in our gardens this month. Check out our garden team’s top plant picks for September. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds!
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Bloom Time: July – September
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Butterflies & hummingbirds
Tolerates: Deer & wet soil
Native to North America: Yes
Other: A perfect selection for water gardens; this plant requires constant moisture to thrive.
Zones: 3 – 9
Location: Water Garden – Upper Stream

Groundcover Rose (Rosa ‘Meigalpio’ Red Drift®)
Bloom Time: June – October
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: This groundcover rose is an excellent choice for draping over rock walls.
Zones: 4 – 10
Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden

Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla)
Bloom Time: May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds will eat fruit
Native to North America: Yes
Other: M. macrophylla has the largest single flower and largest simple leaves of any tree indigenous to North America.
Zones: 5 – 8
Location: Howe Garden – Pond

Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’)
Sun Requirement: Full shade – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Provides foraging space and shelter for ground feeding birds and other small critters.
Tolerates: Rabbits
Native to North America: No
Other: Semi-evergreen in warmer climates.
Zones: 5 – 8
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden

Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
Bloom Time: July – September
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees & Butterflies
Tolerates: Occasional Drought
Native to North America: No
Other: A large shrub-like perennial with fragrant and showy flowers.
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Wills Perennial Garden

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis ‘Kolmoon’ Magical® Moonlight)
Bloom Time: May – June
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Bees & Butterflies
Tolerates: Wet soils
Native to North America: Yes
Other: The fragrant flowers are a nectar source to bees and butterflies. The attractive fruit contains nut-like seeds which provide food for waterfowl and other birds.
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Upright Vinca (Vinca ‘Tattoo Papaya’)
Bloom Time: June – September
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees & Butterflies
Tolerates: Drought
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Upright Vinca will self seed and appear again the following spring.
Zones: 7 – 9
Location: Burr Terrace Garden

Ironweed (Vernonia lettermanii)
Bloom Time: August – September
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Dry – medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Drought
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Great plant for dryer regions of the landscape and excellent late-season color. The foliage provides a fine texture.
Zones: 4 – 9
Location: Herb Study Garden
