What’s in Bloom

Another sure sign of autumn is the arrival of Chrysanthemum × morifolium along Flower Garden Walk and in the Idea Garden. Commonly known as garden mums, these hybrids are prized for their abundant flowers and remarkable diversity of colors, forms, and sizes. Their appearance in the outdoor gardens offers a colorful preview of the artistry and horticultural traditions celebrated during Longwood’s upcoming Chrysanthemum Festival.

Young water-platter leaves emerge from the water as a green roll of prickle and soon transform into large, floating plates with an upturned rim.  Victoria platters grow at an astonishing rate. At maturity, the leaf can reach diameters of six feet and can support more than 80 pounds of evenly-distributed weight. Water-platters flower for two nights.  The first night flower is white and fragrant, while the second night flower is pink. There are just a few weeks remaining to enjoy our waterlily display before it closes for the season, so be sure to visit before October 26! 
 

A Pennsylvania roadside discovery became a garden favorite in Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’. Robert G. Seip of Lennilea Farm spotted this compact New England aster along Route 100 south of Allentown and shared it with Mt. Cuba Center, which introduced it in 1989. Growing about two feet tall, ‘Purple Dome’ forms a rounded mound covered in rich purple flowers in early autumn. The straight species is native to eastern North America, where it grows in moist meadows, prairies, and along streambanks. Its flowers attract bees and butterflies, adding a welcome source of food to the autumn landscape.

Salvia madrensis ‘Red Neck Girl’ is a statuesque late-season sage distinguished by red-purple, winged stems that contrast with its large green leaves and butter-yellow flowers. Introduced by Plant Delights Nursery in 2002, this selection blooms earlier than many forms of the species and can reach 7 feet tall. The species is native to moist mountain habitats in Mexico’s Sierra Madre Oriental, reflected in the name madrensis. Blooming from late September until frost, its tubular flowers provide a valuable late-season food source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Enjoy multiple species of salvia peaking in every color throughout the gardens!

Seven-son flower is a deciduous, large shrub or small tree native to China, where it was first documented in the early 20th century and later introduced to Western horticulture. It is the sole species in the genus Heptacodium and belongs to the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). This plant is highly valued for its multi-season ornamental appeal. In late summer to early fall, it produces clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers arranged in groups that often appear to consist of seven buds, hence the common name. After flowering, the sepals turn a vivid red to deep pink, extending the visual interest into autumn. The plant also features exfoliating, light brown bark that provides attractive winter texture. Though once considered rare and even endangered in the wild, it has become increasingly popular in gardens and public landscapes due to its resilience, pollinator-friendly blooms, and year-round appeal. Heptacodium miconioides is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, high-impact specimen plant.

Chrysanthemum ‘Sheffield Yellow’ is often associated with the Rubellum Group, hardy perennial chrysanthemums of complex Eurasian ancestry known for their loose, bushy growth and daisy-like flowers. Opening from apricot-gold buds, its single yellow blooms bring warmth to the late-autumn garden. Taller and more naturalistic than the compact Chrysanthemum × morifolium cultivars commonly used in seasonal displays, ‘Sheffield Yellow’ also provides late-season food for bees and other pollinators.

In addition to fragrant, white, spring flowers and interesting green stems and thorns, the citrus-like fruit of this thorny shrub gives it a unique interest in late summer and early autumn.  The small fruits will turn from green to orange and have a slightly sour and acidic taste.  The skin can be candied or made into marmalade. 

Growing to a height of three to four feet, white snakeroot is a fibrously rooted, native perennial that can be found in forests, thickets, and woodland margins. This plant can take full sun to part shade and prefers moist, rich conditions. The wonderful white flowers that occur late in the season, when flowers such as these are hard to come by, make it a wonderful addition to the garden.  It's common name “snakeroot,” refers to the historical use of the roots as a folk remedy for snakebite. In white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), the name reflects that traditional use, not evidence that it works. The plant is poisonous and should never be used to treat a snakebite.

The ordinary becomes extraordinary!  Nippon daisy, is a hardy, late-blooming perennial native to coastal regions of Japan. It belongs to the Asteraceae family and is valued for its clean, white daisy-like flowers with bright yellow centers that appear in late summer through fall, often when few other perennials are in bloom. The plant forms a compact, woody shrub about two to three feet tall, with thick, leathery, dark green leaves that give it a tidy, evergreen-like appearance through much of the growing season. The Nippon daisy thrives in full sun and is drought-tolerant once established. It is especially attractive to pollinators and makes a strong visual impact in late-season borders. Despite its shrubby habit, it is herbaceous in colder climates and benefits from spring pruning to maintain shape and vigor. Though rarely seen in miniature form, our bonsai experts began training this specimen in 2018, and it is now on display in the Bonsai Workshop.  

Solidago rugosa is a native perennial that forms loose spreading clumps of arching, hairy stems. Growing from creeping rhizomes, the general height of this plant is six feet tall and grows in wet soils, open woodlands, thickets, old fields, bogs, and along roadsides. The conditions best for this plant are full sun with average well drained soil. The golden yellow flower heads are held in loose panicle-like arrays. Its adaptability and the fact that it is not as aggressive as other goldenrods make it a great native plant for perennial borders and gardens. 'Fireworks' was selected for its shorter growth habit and heavier flowering. When in bloom the open flowers resemble fireworks. This cultivar reaches only about three feet in height.

With a variety of fruit shapes and sizes, ornamental peppers provide interest and vibrant colors to the autumn garden. These low maintenance annuals are good in containers or as bedding plants.

Tatarian aster is a great border plant. Take a close look at the intense yellow and lavender blossoms.

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘October Skies’ brings clouds of lavender-blue, yellow-centered flowers to the autumn garden. This compact aromatic aster grows 18–24 inches tall, with leaves that release a fragrance when crushed. Its name is said to evoke the blue skies of October. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, it tolerates drought and provides late-season food for bees and butterflies. From the Meadow to the Idea Garden, explore the varied colors and forms of our native asters and their cultivars as they brighten the fall landscape.