Gardeners' Top Picks September 2020 - Cheekwood
x icon Close

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

Lobelia-cardinalis

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

Rosa-Red-Drift-2

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

Magnolia-macrophylla-Howe

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

Dryopteris-erythrosora-Brilliance-Dogwood-Garden-16

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

Caryopteris-sp.-Wills-3-1

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

Cephanthus-occ.-Kolmoon

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

Vinca-Burr

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

Vernonia-lettermanii2-1
Privacy Policy Sitemap Web design by Speak
Back to top