By Thea Hegland

Considered one of the best times to visit, the month of September offers some of the year’s finest weather. Boasting a gorgeous display of late summer flowers, the endless flower beds of garden classics such as Heliotrope (Cherry pie plant), Begonia, Pelargonium and Rudbeckia flow around every corner and the next corner after that.

Rudbeckia and Salvia thrive in the late summer sun

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 frost visits The Gardens. Fresh plantings of colourful Chrysanthemum flowers blend harmoniously amongst the deciduous trees; soon, the leaves will begin to gradually change colour, signaling fall is in the air.

Colourful hanging baskets of Fuchsia and Begonia

Behind the scenes the greenhouse staff has been busy sowing seeds, pricking out, and potting up in preparation for the fall planting of our spring display. Spring beauties such as Myosotis (Forget-me–not), Bellis (English daisy), and Erysimum (Wallflower) are all grown from seed during the summer months and will be ready to plant in The Gardens later this fall when our bulbs arrive from Holland. Poinsettia plants are also being grown in our greenhouses for the Christmas indoor displays. The Garden Designers are out and about planning for next summer. This is an ideal time to reflect on the flower combinations and reimagine our goals for the summer display for 2023.

 Poinsettia plants being grown in the greenhouses for the Christmas Season

Perhaps the most noteworthy is the Dahlia Border. Demanding attention with the boldest and brightest stars of September, our famous display is now sparkling with glorious blossoms. An impressive sight to behold is an understatement. The Dahlias are carefully laid out to enhance the individual beauty of each unique variety, there are approximately 700 Dahlia plants mass planted along the Concert Lawn Walk. The diverse collection includes over 100 different varieties in 11 different forms and colours. Our Dahlia Border Specialists have some personal favourites to share. From ‘dinner – plate’ forms to the small collarette forms. Absolutely spectacular now, it’s hard to believe the best of the Dahlia season is yet to come!

 

Plants, trees, and shrubs that are currently blooming

• Abutilon (Flowering maple)
• Achillea
• Aconitum (Monkshood)
• Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa tree)
• Anigozanthos (Kangaroo paw)
• Antirrhinum (Snapdragon)
• Aster (Michaelmas daisy)
• Begonia
• Buddleja (Butterfly bush)
• Cephalaria (Giant scabiosa)
• Chelone obliqua (Turtlehead)
• Chilopsis (Desert willow)
• Clerodendrum bungei (Glory bower)
• Clerodendrum ugandense (Blue glory bower)
• Clerodendrum trichotomum (Glory bower)
• Clethra (Summersweet)
• Cosmos atrosanguineus (Chocolate cosmos)
• Crocosmia
• Dahlia
• Echinacea (Coneflower)
• Fuchsia
• Gaura
• Gladiolus callianthus
• Helenium (Sneezeweed)
• Helianthus (Perennial sunflower)
• Heptacodium miconioides (Seven –son flower)
• Hibiscus syriacus ‘Blue Bird’
• Hydrangea
• Iochroma
• Kniphofia
• Lagerstroemeria (Crape myrtle)
• Leonotis (Lion’s ear)
• Lespedeza (Bush clover)
• Lilium (Lily)
• Lobelia speciosa
• Persicaria (Knotweed)
• Punica (Pomegranate)
• Rosa (Rose)
• Rudbeckia (Gloriosa daisy)
• Tecoma
• Verbena
• Vitex
• Zauschneria (California fuchsia)
• Zinnia