By Thea Hegland

Considered one of the best times to visit, the month of September offers some the year’s finest weather. Boasting a gorgeous display of late summer flowers, the twilight of the season is locked in a haze of beauty.

Gorgeous display of late summer flowers in the Sunken Garden

Fresh plantings of colourful Chrysanthemum flowers blend harmoniously amongst the deciduous trees; the leaves have begun to gradually change colour, signaling fall is in the air. Autumn flowering bulbs such as Colchicum (Autumn crocus) and Hesperantha coccinea (Crimson flag lily) are appearing with splashes of colour.

In the Japanese Garden, the bright orange–red berries of Arum italicum (Lords and ladies) bring interest to the quiet garden while the world-famous Dahlia border demands attention with the boldest and brightest stars of the September garden. Container plantings and baskets filled with masses of flowers still tumble out relentlessly, hanging on to the near perfect weather of the summer season; over 60 different varieties of incredible Fuchsia and endless forms of Begonia have no intention of fading away before the first frost.

The Cut Garden

One special garden visitors may catch a glimpse of is The Cut Garden. It is located on the left as you exit the property; the area is filled with colourful flowers. This is where the floral design team heads to at the crack of dawn to harvest a bounty of fresh cut flowers that create the beautiful floral arrangements seen at The Gardens. With no shortage of inspiration, there are more flowers than time to love them all! This week’s pick includes blue Delphinium, a deep red Zinnia, bright yellow Helianthus, assorted Chrysanthemum, Dahlia and Rosa flowers. With access to the main gardens, a fantastic selection of interesting greenery and accent foliage is available for the team to use for arrangements.

Horticultural staff always need to prune back old shrubs, Arborists climb trees and incredible branches appear, not to mention the amazing finds that are often in the compost! Old fashioned classical style arrangements fill many of the cherished vases Jennie Butchart once enjoyed. Elegant and simple Ikebana arrangements add a special touch as well as the contemporary designs that are created. Most of these arrangements are displayed in the Dining Room Restaurant in the historic Butchart residence, reminiscent of the days when Jennie Butchart herself filled the residence with gorgeous bouquets from her garden.

Flower arrangement in Dining Room Restaurant 

The Gardens are always here, ready to be enjoyed by all.

Plants that are currently blooming

• Abutilon (Flowering maple)
• Achillea
• Aconitum(Monkshood)
• Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa tree)
• Angelonia
• Anigozanthos (Kangaroo paw)
• Antirrhinum (Snapdragon)
• Arum italicum (Lords and ladies)
• Aster (Michaelmas daisy)
• Begonia
• Cephalaria (Giant scabiosa)
• Chelone obliqua (Turtlehead)
• Clerodendrum bungei (Glory bower)
• Clerodendrum ugandense (Blue glory bower)
• Clerodendrum trichotomum (Glory bower)
• Clethra (Summersweet)
• Colchicum (Autumn crocus)
• Cosmos atrosanguineus (Chocolate cosmos)
• Crocosmia
• Dahlia
• Echinacea (Coneflower)
• Fuchsia
• Gladiolus callianthus
• Helenium (Sneezeweed)
• Helianthus (Perennial sunflower)
• Hesperantha (Crimson flag lily)
• Heptacodium miconioides (Seven–son flower)
• Hibiscus syriacus ‘Blue Bird’
• Hydrangea
• Iochroma
• Lagerstroemeria (Crape myrtle)
• Leonotis (Lion’s ear)
• Lespedeza (Bush clover)
• Lobelia speciosa
• Manettia (Firecracker vine)
• Persicaria (Knotweed)
• Punica (Pomegranate)
• Rosa (Rose)
• Rudbeckia (Gloriosa daisy)
• Streptocarpus (Cape primrose)
• Tecoma
• Thalictrum (Meadow rue)
• Tibouchina (Glory bush)
• Verbena
• Vitex
• Zauschneria (California fuchsia)
• Zinnia