Top Plant Picks September 2021
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. Cheekwood’s Plant Collections Manager, Shanna Jones, shares her top plant picks for September.
Salvia argentea
Bloom Time: May – June
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Dry – Medium
Tolerates: Drought, deer, rabbit
Native to North America: No
Other: Short-lived perennial. Adds fantastic interest to the garden with both texture and color
Location: Herb Study Garden: Blue and Silver
Toad Lily (Tricyrtis hirta ‘Miyazaki’)
Bloom Time: August – September
Sun Requirement: Part shade – full shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Butterflies & bees
Tolerates: Good disease and pest resistance
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 – 8
Other: Plant in front borders where the flowers can be best appreciated. For best performance, plant in moist, organic, rich soil. Will naturalize in optimal conditions.
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
Shrub Rose (Rosa ‘Quietness’)
Bloom Time: May – October
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Native to North America: No
Zones: 5 – 9
Other: Constantly blooming! Little pruning required.
Location: Rose Study Garden
Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’)
Bloom Time: September – October
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Butterflies & bees
Tolerates: Deer & wet soil
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 4 – 8
Other: Graceful habit. No serious insect or disease pressures. DOES NOT cause hay fever. .
Location: Howe Garden
Fortune Tea Olive (Osmanthus xfortunei ‘Fruitlandii’)
Bloom Time: September – October
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Zones: 7 – 9
Other: Most cold tolerant species of Osmanthus. Extremely fragrant, similar to the scent of gardenia. A member of the olive family.
Location: Blevins Japanese Garden
Bur Oak/Mossycup Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Bloom Time: April
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Dry – medium
Wildlife: The acorns of this oak provide food for wood ducks, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, rabbits, mice, squirrels and other rodents.
Tolerates: Drought & dry soil
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 – 8
Other: Monoecious. Leaves can be variable in shape. Twigs are sometimes winged. Fruit is fringed.
Location: Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail
Northern Maindenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)
Sun Requirement: Part shade – shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Provides shelter for lizards and frogs.
Tolerates: Heavy shade
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 – 8
Other: Beautiful, swirled frond arrangement with black stems.
Design tip: Combine with broad-leaved plants such as hostas for best effect.
Location: Howe Garden, Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, and the Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis ‘SMCOSS’ Sugar Shack®)
Bloom Time: June – July
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Butterflies & hummingbirds
Tolerates: Wet soil
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 4 – 10
Other: Sugar Shack® is a compact form. Fragrant flowers. Showy fruit.
Location: Robinson Family Water Garden – Weaver Walk
