High Drama with Cynara Cardunculus in September's Garden

September casts its golden spell upon the garden, ushering in a time of reflection and gentle transition. It is a month cherished for its soft light and lingering warmth, an interlude before autumn's embrace. As the rhythms of daily life return to familiar patterns, the garden becomes a sanctuary, offering peace and a stage for nature's quiet drama. Among its many actors, the Cynara cardunculus stands tall and unapologetically grand, epitomizing the bold beauty of architectural planting. It demands both space and attention, much like the September sun that bathes it in a silvery glow.

““September is the month of maturity; the heaped basket and the garnered sheaf. It is the month of climax and completion.” ”

— Patience Strong

Clematis ‘My Angel’ and Its Three Stages

Clematis ‘My Angel’ is a botanical narrative in three enchanting chapters. Picture a bud, its plum-hued casing reminiscent of a child's first school blazer—brimming with potential and curiosity. As it unfurls, it reveals a velvety bloom, each anther and sepal gleaming like youthful exuberance under the sun. Finally, the flower matures into a silvered seedhead, a testament to time's gentle touch, evoking the warm presence of a grandmother crocheting by the hearth. This climber, with its ever-changing beauty, promises a spectacle whether draped over a pergola or weaving through shrubs. Each stage captures a different essence of life, making it a true garden treasure.

Bold and Beautiful Cynara Cardunculus

Cynara cardunculus, the cardoon, is a plant that commands attention. With its grand, muscular form and striking silvery leaves, it brings a bold architectural presence to the garden. When in bloom, its towering flowerheads become a beacon for bees, drawing them in with an almost magnetic pull. As the season progresses and the blooms give way to seedheads, small birds flock to it, creating a lively spectacle. This high drama unfolds under the full sun, where the cardoon thrives best. Ensuring its heavy flowers have adequate support is key, allowing this plant to showcase its dramatic flair. In every leaf and petal, the cardoon embodies the audacious spirit of the September garden, making it a standout feature that both captivates the senses and enriches the ecosystem.

Cynara cardunculus, or cardoon, not only boasts striking silvery leaves and tall flowerheads that attract pollinators but is also closely related to artichokes, making it both an ornamental and edible plant.

Tender Rhodochiton Atrosanguineus – A Climber with Dangle

Rhodochiton atrosanguineus brings a whimsical charm to the garden with its gracefully dangling blooms, reminiscent of delicate bell clappers swaying in the breeze. Although tender and unlikely to survive a harsh winter, its enchanting presence makes every moment of its growing season worthwhile. This climber excels at concealing the less attractive lower portions of taller plants, such as the often scraggy ankles of roses, lending a touch of elegance where it's needed most. For those fortunate enough to have a greenhouse, sowing seeds in autumn gives this lovely climber a head start; otherwise, spring sowing suffices. Its deep, velvety purple flowers add a touch of drama to any garden, creating an air of timeless beauty. Rhodochiton atrosanguineus, with its cascading blossoms, effortlessly elevates the garden's aesthetic, offering a fleeting yet memorable spectacle.

Rhodochiton atrosanguineus, known as the "Purple Bell Vine," has evolved a unique pollination mechanism where bees must vibrate their flight muscles at a specific frequency to release pollen from the flower's anthers.

The Versatility of Fennel and Helenium

Fennel's feathery fronds stand as sentinels in the garden, bridging the gap between the flower and kitchen gardens with a gentle ease. Its stiff stems provide a natural scaffold for more delicate blooms, like the fiery helenium, whose vibrant petals echo the last burst of summer’s heat. Both plants weave a tapestry of structure and color, bringing life to the borders even as the days grow shorter. Fennel’s delicate yellow umbels are a magnet for beneficial insects, adding to its value beyond the culinary. However, this plant does require vigilance, as aphids can quickly make a home among its tender stems. A strong jet of water often keeps these pests at bay, allowing fennel to flourish and support the surrounding flora. Helenium, on the other hand, dazzles with its rich hues and robust presence. It thrives in full sun, its blooms standing tall and proud, a tribute to the lingering warmth of the season. As autumn approaches, helenium's skeletal form persists, offering a structural grace that holds its own through winter’s quietude. Together, fennel and helenium create a harmonious interplay of form and function, each enhancing the garden’s aesthetic while contributing to its ecological balance. Their combined presence is a testament to the thoughtful design that turns a simple garden into a living masterpiece.

“Fennel attracts a wide variety of beneficial insects including honey bees, while Helenium is particularly favored by native bees and butterflies, showcasing how different plants can support diverse pollinator populations in a garden.”

The Echinacea and Salvia Showstopper

Amid the garden's vibrant palette, few combinations capture the essence of sustained beauty like Echinacea 'Powwow Wild Berry' and Salvia 'Amistad.' The intense magenta blooms of echinacea attract bees and butterflies, creating a lively and dynamic environment. But it's the salvia 'Amistad' that takes the spotlight, with a flowering season that stretches from the height of summer to the cusp of winter, a true testament to endurance and grace. Standing tall with deep violet spikes, the salvia adds a touch of elegance and a whisper of the wild. It's a plant that doesn't just fill space; it tells a story of resilience and beauty in the face of changing seasons. Nestled against the echinacea's robust, berry-colored flowers, it creates a tableau of complementary contrasts—each bloom enhancing the other’s vibrancy. Whether deadheaded regularly to prolong its blooms or protected in harsher climates, salvia 'Amistad' promises a reliable show. In the delicate dance between echinacea and salvia, we find a harmonious blend of strength and subtlety, painting the garden with strokes of enduring splendor.

“Echinacea and Salvia, when planted together, create a pollinator paradise: Echinacea’s large landing pad attracts bumblebees and butterflies, while Salvia’s tubular flowers are perfect for long-tongued bees and hummingbirds, offering a diverse buffet for various pollinators.”

The Cheerful Charm of Ipomoea Lobata

Ipomoea lobata, commonly known as the Spanish Flag, brings an effervescent joy to the garden, much like the vibrant streets of Spain during a fiesta. Its flowers, a cascade of red and yellow, mirror the hues of the Spanish flag, unfolding in a unique lopsided fashion that adds a playful touch to any garden landscape. As they age, the colors mellow, creating a gradient that transitions from bold to soft, much like the changing light of September. This climber thrives in the warmth of the sun, transforming mundane fence panels and dreary walls into dynamic tapestries of color. Early sowing under cover in March allows it to reach its full potential, ensuring a garden display that is nothing short of spectacular. By the time the last frost has passed, Ipomoea lobata is ready to take center stage, its vibrant blooms dancing in the breeze. Closely related to the morning glory, this annual climber shares its relative's tenacity and charm but offers a more vivid palette. Whether you're looking to brighten up a quiet corner or create a lively focal point, the Spanish Flag is an exuberant choice. Its lively blooms invite not just visual enjoyment but a deeper connection to the rhythm and vibrancy of the garden's late summer dance.

Ipomoea Lobata, also known as the "Spanish Flag" or "Firecracker Vine," features flowers that change color from red to yellow as they age, attracting both hummingbirds and bees at different stages of the bloom.

Exotic Flair with Canna 'Phasion'

Canna 'Phasion' brings an alluring touch of the tropics to any garden, its broad, vibrant leaves and fiery blooms creating a scene straight out of a Central American paradise. This plant is not just about looks; it introduces a dynamic energy, seamlessly blending with bold grasses like miscanthus and panicum, forming an exotic tapestry of textures and colors. The canna’s striking presence turns heads, offering a splash of joy that carries through the waning days of summer. To keep this tropical marvel flourishing, it's essential to lift its rhizomes before the first frost and store them in a frost-free shed—perhaps nestled in crates filled with wood shavings for extra protection. This simple act of care ensures that the canna 'Phasion' can return year after year, each time bringing with it the promise of another season filled with lush, vibrant life. Its exuberant foliage and flowers transform the garden into a vibrant oasis, a testament to the enduring allure of tropical beauty. Whether standing alone or mingling with other plants, canna 'Phasion' serves as a living reminder of the summer's warmth, extending its legacy well into the cooler months.

Canna 'Phasion', with its striking orange flowers and vibrant striped foliage, not only attracts bees and hummingbirds but also serves as a "trap crop" for Japanese beetles, potentially protecting other plants in the garden.

The Graceful Appeal of Salvia Greggii

Salvia greggii 'Stormy Pink' dances through the garden like a whispered promise, its soft blooms a delicate counterpoint to the bold statements of summer’s end. Discovered by the legendary nurserywoman Derry Watkins, this salvia has been a cherished addition to gardens for decades, its elegance timeless and understated. The plant’s long flowering season ensures that its beauty lingers, bringing gentle color and a sense of continuity as the garden transitions towards autumn. It thrives in both containers and borders, making it a versatile choice for any gardener seeking to create harmonious and wispy plant combinations. Paired with grasses like pennisetum, it weaves a soft, almost ethereal tapestry that dances in the slightest breeze, evoking the gentle sway of nature’s lullaby. Salvia greggii is not just a visual delight; it’s a symbol of resilience and grace. With a little care—regular deadheading and the occasional cutting—it rewards with months of bloom, subtly guiding the garden from the vibrant energy of summer into the serene hues of fall. Its presence is a gentle reminder of the beauty found in both change and constancy, making every garden moment a bit more magical.