By Thea Hegland

The sultry midsummer heat has transported us to the dog days of summer; a full moon is rising and there is a euphoric atmosphere in The Gardens. From the colourful summer annual plantings and dynamic perennial borders to the remarkable containers, it is evident we have reached the height of the summer season. As the season progresses there will be more to look forward to with the late summer classics; early blooming Dahlia flowers are showing the promise of a dazzling display along our famous Dahlia border.

One of the many Dahlias

With so many flowers and so little time, it’s a wonder how best to enjoy your time at The Gardens. My advice is to relax, let the meandering paths lead the way- you can always find your way through even if you get a little lost. Take plenty of pictures and visit the Plant Identification Centre to solve any plant mysteries; we are here to help make your experience at The Gardens informative and enjoyable.

Take your time and see where the paths take you

Perhaps one of the most intriguing plants in The Gardens is the Epiphyllum oxypetalum ‘Queen of The Night’. Located in containers near The Carousel, these nocturnal flowers bloom rarely and the exquisite white blooms wilt before dawn. If you are visiting during the evening you may be lucky enough to see these beauties in bloom.

Epiphyllum oxypetalum ‘Queen of The Night’

Plants that are currently blooming

• Abutilon
• Acanthus (Bear’s breeches)
• Aconitum (Monkshood)
• Achillea (Yarrow)
• Ageratum (Floss flower)
• Alocasia (Elephant’s ear)
• Antirrhinium (Snapdragon)
• Anigozanthos (Kangaroo paw)
• Astilbe
• Astrantia
• Begonia (Tuberous and fibrous)
• Bletilla
• Brugmansia (Angels’ trumpets)
• Calceolaria (Scotsman’s purse)
• Callistemon (Bottlebrush)
• Calycanthus ‘Aphrodite’ (Sweetshrub)
• Catalpa speciosa (Indian bean tree)
• Cephalaria gigantea (Yellow scabious)
• Clematis
• Colocasia (Taro)
• Coreopsis
• Crocosmia
• Cuphea
• Dahlia
• Delphinium
• Echinacea (Coneflower)
• Epiphyllum (Night blooming cactus)
• Filipendula
• Fuchsia
• Gazania
• Gentiana asclepiadea (Willow gentian)
• Helenium (Sneezeweed)
• Helianthus (Sunflower)
• Heliotropium (Cherry pie plant)
• Hemerocallis (Daylily)
• Hibiscus
• Hydrangea
• Hypericum (St. John’s wort)
• Inula
• Impatiens
• Iochroma cyanea
• Kniphfofia (Red-hot poker)
• Lantana
• Leptospermum (Tea tree)
• Lilium
• Lobelia
• Mandevilla
• Manettia
• Monarda (Bee balm)
• Pachystachys lutea (Lollipop plant)
• Pelargonium (Geranium)
• Pentas
• Persicaria (Knotweed)
• Petasites
• Phlomis
• Phlox
• Poncirus trifoliata (Hardy orange)
• Punica granatum (Pomegranate)
• Rheum
• Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
• Rosa (Rose)
• Salpiglossis
• Salvia
• Sanvitalia
• Tagetes (Marigold)
• Tecoma
• Thalictrum (Meadow rue)
• Tibouchina (Glory bush)
• Tigridia (Peacock flower)
• Torenia
• Tradescantia (Spiderwort)
• Veronica
• Viburnum
• Weigela
• Wisteria
• Yucca
• Zinnia