Top Plant Picks November 2021
Fall is the perfect time to check out all the color in the gardens! Cheekwood’s Plant Collections Manager, Shanna Jones, shares her top plant picks for November.
Aster (Aster oblongifolius ‘Raydon’s Favorite’)
Bloom Time: October – November
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Dry – medium
Wildlife: Bees & butterflies
Tolerates: Deer & rabbits
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 – 8
Other: Wonderful selection for late season color; plant in masses for best effect
Location: Howe Garden & Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – dry
Wildlife: Berries provide winter nourishment for small mammals and birds.
Tolerates: Drought & erosion
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 – 9
Other: Magnificent fall color. Four-season interest.
Location: The Carell Trail (Tree Poem)
Arkansas Amsonia (Amsonia hubrichtii)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 5 – 8
Other: Golden fall color. Cut back to half after flowering to avoid floppiness.
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden & Howe Garden
Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 – 8
Other: Exceptional yellow fall color. Female trees produce messy and foul-smelling fruit.
Location: Reflecting Pool & Blevins Japanese Garden
Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus)
Bloom Time: June – July
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds
Tolerates: Deer, drought, & dry soil
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 2 – 7
Other: Excellent winter interest; use stems for floral arrangements.
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera)
Bloom Time: June
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – dry
Wildlife: Some deer & squirrels
Tolerates: Drought & poor soil
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 4 – 9
Other: Tough tree! Thrives in poor soil. Wood is orange and resistant to decay. The seeds of the fruit are edible.
Location: Robinson Family Water Garden
Arrowhead Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum ‘Blue Muffin’)
Bloom Time: June – July
Sun Requirement: Part sun – full sun
Water Requirement: Medium – dry
Wildlife: Birds & butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 – 8
Other: Brilliant fall color. Berries attract birds.
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Orange Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Bloom Time: July – November
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium – dry
Wildlife: Bees & butterflies
Tolerates: Drought, deer, & some shade
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 – 9
Other: Plant to aid late season pollinators.
Location: Wills Perennial Garden
