Top Plant Picks August 2022
August is in full effect and the gardens are loving it! Cheekwood’s Plant Collections Manager, Shanna Jones, shares her favorite plants at the estate!
Hibiscus ‘Lord Baltimore’ (Hibiscus)
Bloom Time: July – September
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer & wet soils
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 4 – 9
Other: Keep deadheaded for optimal blooming. Great specimen for wet areas!
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Juniperus chinensis ‘Hetzii Columnaris’ (Upright Chinese Juniper)
Bloom Time: N/A
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Berries provide food for birds
Tolerates: Deer & drought
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 – 9
Other: Fast-growing; easily shaped. Can grow to 15′ x 15′. Good size for a large container display.
Location: Gillespie Border/ Beer Garden
Indigofera amblyantha (Chinese Indigo)
Bloom Time: May – September
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Some shade
Native to North America: No
Zones: 6 – 8
Other: A member of the pea family, this plant is the source of the dye, indigo. It is a deciduous shrub. Can grow to be 4′ – 6′ tall.
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Nelumbo nucifera ‘Drunken Concubine’ (Lotus)
Bloom Time: June – August
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Wet
Wildlife: Pollinated by beetles
Tolerates: Acidic waters
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 – 11
Other: Grows in submerged water. In addition to the beautiful flower bloom, its fruiting body is very unique and used in floral displays
Location: Herb Study Garden
Rosa ‘Quietness’ (Rose)
Bloom Time: May – October
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees & butterflies
Tolerates: Some shade
Native to North America: No
Zones: 5 – 9
Other: Introduced in 2003, ‘Quietness’ is a double bloom and moderately fragrant.
Location: Rose Study Garden
Clethra tomentosa ‘Cottondale’ (Summersweet)
Bloom Time: July – September
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Wet soil & erosion
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 7 – 9
Other: A fragrant, deciduous shrub, it was found growing wild in the Florida panhandle.
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Vernonia lettermanii (Ironweed)
Bloom Time: July – August
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Dry – medium
Wildlife: Butterflies & hummingbirds
Tolerates: Drought
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 4 – 9
Other: A low-maintenance, late summer blooming perennial that tolerates a range of soil types.
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Gard
Saponaria officinalis (Common soapwort)
Bloom Time: July – September
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Dry – medium
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Tolerates: Deer & rabbit
Native to North America: No
Zones: 3 – 9
Other: A native to Europe, soapwort has naturalized well in N. America. Is leaves contain as substance that lathers!
Location: Herb Study Garden
