Top Plant Picks June 2021
Published: June 1, 2021
Say hello to summer by taking a stroll through our gardens! Cheekwood’s Plant Collections Manager, Shanna Jones, shares her top plant picks for June.
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’)
Bloom Time: April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Rabbit
Native to North America: No
Zones: 5 – 8
Other: Small tree, growing to 15 – 20′. Vibrant, red-purple summer foliage.
Location: Blevins Japanese Garden
Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
Bloom Time: May – June
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees & Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer & drought
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Nice rounded habit, adds great shape and texture to the perennial border.
Zones: 3 – 9
Location: Wills Perennial Garden
Chinese Astilbe (Astilbe chinensis ‘Visions in Purple’)
Bloom Time: June – July
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees, moths, butterflies
Tolerates: Heavy shade, deer & rabbit
Native to North America: No
Other: Foliage is fern-like. The color of blooms is almost electric. Looks best when planted in groups.
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Weaver Walk
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata ‘Soulmate’)
Bloom Time: June – July
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer & wet soil
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Provides nectar for butterflies and is a vital food source for Monarch butterfly larvae.
Zones: 3 – 6
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Red False Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
Bloom Time: May – June
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Dry
Wildlife: Butterflies & Hummingbirds
Tolerates: Drought & heat
Native to North America: Yes
Other: A desert plant with a long bloom period.
Zones: 5 – 10
Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden
Big Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Twist-n-Shout’)
Bloom Time: May – August
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees & butterflies – however only the smaller florets are fertile
Tolerates: Shade
Native to North America: No
Other: Showy blooms which vary in color from blue to pink depending on the soil pH. ‘Twist-n-Shout’ is the first reblooming cultivar.
Zones: 6 – 9
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana ‘Green Shadow’)
Bloom Time: June
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Clay, wet soil & deer
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Fragrant flowers. Oval, tight growth habit.
Zones: 5 – 10
Location: Weaver Walk
Miniature Rose (Rosa ‘Minnie Pearl’)
Bloom Time: May – August
Sun Requirement: Full Sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees & Butterflies
Tolerates: Alkaline soils
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Spicy fragrance emits from an elegant, light peach tone.
Zones: 4 – 11
Location: Rose Study Garden
