Top Plant Picks September 2022
Fall is coming and the gardens are changing! Cheekwood’s Horticulturist Sage McClain, shares her top plant picks for September.
Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’ (Pink Turtlehead)
Bloom Time: July – October
Sun Requirement: Sun to Full Shade
Water Requirement: Wet
Wildlife: Attracts bumblebees and hummingbirds
Tolerates: Moist and acidic soil. Deer resistant.
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 – 8
Other: A very versatile native plant that tolerates full sun to shade. Forms clumps and is perfect for a woodland or stream garden. The pink flowers resemble the heads of open-mouthed turtles.
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Asimina triloba (Pawpaw)
Bloom Time: March – May
Sun Requirement: Partial Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Host plant to the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly and Pawpaw Sphinx Moth.
Tolerates: Pest resistant
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 5 – 8
Other: This small understory tree produces North America’s largest native edible fruit. The bark and leaves act as a natural insect repellent.
Location: Howe Garden
Euscaphis japonica (Korean Sweetheart Tree)
Bloom Time: June – September
Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Attracts birds
Tolerates: Drought tolerant
Native to North America: No
Zones: 6 – 8
Other: Interesting landscape specimen! Produces heart-shaped seed pods in the late summer to fall.
Location: Color Garden
Passiflora incarnata x cincinnata (Passionflower)
Bloom Time: June – September
Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Host plant to the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, Attracts many pollinators
Tolerates: Can handle a variety of conditions from full sun to partial shade as well as being relatively drought and heat tolerant
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 5 – 9
Other: This climbing vine has very showy purple flowers during the summer to early fall. Wonderful addition for pollinator gardens.
Location: Mansion Front Lawn
Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus)
Bloom Time: July-September
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Water Plant
Wildlife: Pollinator Plant
Tolerates: Standing water
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 – 10
Other: This aquatic plant produces large fragrant flowers that open in the mornings and close at night each day. Attractive foliage, seed receptacles and blooms make this the perfect addition to a water garden or pond!
Location: Herb Garden
Dicliptera suberecta (Hummingbird Plant)
Bloom Time: Mid Summer to Frost
Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Requirement: Low
Wildlife: Hummingbird Pollinator
Tolerates: Drought tolerant
Native to North America: No
Zones: 7 – 9
Other: A hummingbird magnet during summer through fall! This long-blooming perennial is drought tolerant and has velvety blue-grey leaves.
Location: Literary Garden
Vernonia baldwinii (Ironweed)
Bloom Time: July – November
Sun Requirement: Full Sun
Water Requirement: Low
Wildlife: Great Pollinator plant
Tolerates: Tolerates both moist and dry soils
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 5 – 9
Other: This long-blooming plant does best in natural areas and large meadows where large colonies can be appreciated.
Location: Wills Perennial Garden
Anemone robustissima (Pink Windflower)
Bloom Time: August-Frost
Sun Requirement: Part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies
Tolerates: Has a good resistance to most insects and diseases
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 – 8
Other: Ideal for perennial borders or woodland gardens. Its pale pink flowers attract butterflies and make great cut flowers.
Location: Burr Garden
