By Thea Hegland

Late August and early September in The Gardens is a golden time; after months of warm weather, the nights get a little colder and the deciduous trees begin to show the early signs of autumn. This is a fantastic stage where gorgeous late summer flowers complement all the subtle changes that happen as the days inch towards the changing of the seasons.

Late August and early September in The Gardens is a fantastic time where gorgeous late summer flowers complement all the subtle changes that happen as the season change

The highlight of this time is the Dahlia border. More than 200 varieties in 11 different forms, in all the colours of the spectrum.  The ‘Belle of Barmera’ is the Queen of the display once again dazzling all with it size and form at 12 inches across. ‘Penn’s Gift’ and ‘Walter Hardisty’ coming in a close second and third at 11.5 inches across and 11 inches across. The tallest Dahlia in the collection (‘Hy Cutter White’) soars to the impressive height of 6.9 feet. The Dahlia display will continue through the month of October as weather permits these incredible beauties to thrive.

The magnificent Dahlia border by night

Another highlight is the award-winning Rose Garden filled with scent and elegance. Lovingly maintained by skilled hands, this experience is a must for all lovers of the Rose; it will leave you breathless.

Planning for next season also takes place at this time. This is an opportunity for the team to discuss what worked well and what changes should be made for the 2020 summer display. New combinations are created and dependable favourites remain. One of the biggest challenges the Garden Design team face each season is agreeing on what actually looks good! Everyone has an opinion and selecting plants that thrive in the desired location, availability of plant product and all the logistics of growing the quantity in our greenhouses needs to be considered. All of this keeps things interesting as we work through another year as the garden grows.

Each flower bed and border takes into consideration which plants thrive in the desired location, availability of plant product and greenhouse logistics

Plants that are currently blooming

• Abutilon
• Acanthus (Bear’s breeches)
• Aconitum (Monkshood)
• Achillea (Yarrow)
• Agapanthus (African blue lily)
• Ageratum (Floss flower)
• Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa)
• Alocasia (Elephant’s ear)
• Antirrhinium (Snapdragon)
• Anigozanthos (Kangaroo paw)
• Aralia elata (Japanese angelica tree)
• Artemisia lactiflora (Mugwort)
• Astilbe
• Astrantia
• Begonia (Tuberous and fibrous)
• Brugmansia (Angels’ trumpets)
• Calceolaria (Scotsman’s purse)
• Callistemon (Bottlebrush)
• Calycanthus ‘Aphrodite’ (Sweetshrub)
• Campsis (Trumpet vine)
• Catalpa speciosa (Indian bean tree)
• Cephalaria gigantea (Yellow scabious)
• Chelone (Turtlehead)
• Cimicifuga (Bugbane)
• Clematis
• Clerodendrum bungei (Glory bower)
• Colocasia (Taro)
• Cornus mas (Cornelian cherry)
• Coreopsis
• Crocosmia
• Cuphea
• Dahlia
• Echinacea (Coneflower)
• Echinops (Globe thistle)
• Epiphyllum (Night blooming cactus)
• Euchryphia
• Eupatorium
• Filipendula
• Fuchsia
• Gazania
• Gentiana asclepiadea (Willow gentian)
• Gladiolous callianthus (Acidanthera)
• Helenium (Sneezeweed)
• Helianthus (Sunflower)
• Heliotropium (Cherry pie plant)
• Heptacodium (Seven-son-flower)
• Hemerocallis (Daylily)
• Hesperantha (Kaffir lily)
• Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon)
• Hydrangea
• Hypericum (St. John’s wort)
• Inula
• Impatiens
• Iochroma cyanea
• Kniphfofia (Red-hot poker)
• Lagerstroemia indica (Crape myrtle)
• Lantana
• Leonotis (Lion’s ear)
• Leptospermum (Tea tree)
• Lobelia speciosa
• Mandevilla
• Manettia
• Monarda (Bee balm)
• Nymphaea (Waterlily)
• Pachystachys lutea (Lollipop plant)
• Pelargonium (Geranium)
• Pentas
• Persicaria (Knotweed)
• Petasites
• Phlox
• Physostegia (Obedient plant)
• Poncirus trifoliata (Hardy orange)
• Punica granatum (Pomegranate)
• Rheum
• Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
• Rosa (Rose)
• Salvia
• Sanvitalia
• Sedum (Stonecrop)
• Sophora japonica (Japanese pagoda tree)
• Tagetes (Marigold)
• Tecoma
• Thalictrum (Meadow rue)
• Tibouchina (Glory bush)
• Tigridia (Peacock flower)
• Torenia
• Tradescantia (Spiderwort)
• Veronica
• Viburnum
• Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste tree)
• Weigela