Main Fountain Garden District

Melinis nerviglumis 'Savannah', commonly known as ruby grass, is a compact, clump-forming ornamental grass native to southern Africa. It features soft blue-green foliage that takes on rich red tones in the fall, adding seasonal color to the landscape. In mid to late summer, it produces showy, 3 to 4-inch-long plumes of ruby-pink flowers that gradually fade to creamy white and persist well into autumn. The airy blooms rise about a foot above the foliage, making them excellent for both fresh and dried floral arrangements. Growing to just 6 to 12 inches tall and 9 to 12 inches wide, 'Savannah' is ideal for borders, containers, and small garden spaces.  Its drought tolerance, deer resistance, and long-lasting ornamental value make it a versatile choice for low-maintenance plantings.

Fothergilla gardenii, dwarf fothergilla, is member of the witch-hazel family, native to the southeastern United States from North Carolina to Georgia.  This deer resistant shrub has fragrant, white bottle-brush flowers in April and May and prefers growing in full sun to light shade in moist, well-draining soil.  Dwarf fothergilla has beautiful fall foliage in shades ranging from apricot to yellow to dark red. 

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’, is a standout late-season bloomer that brings a splash of vibrant lavender-blue flowers to the fall garden. Native to the central and eastern U.S., this tough, drought-tolerant perennial forms a tidy, bushy mound and blooms profusely from late summer into frost, providing crucial nectar for pollinators when few other flowers remain. The foliage lives up to its name—crush a leaf, and you’ll notice a pleasant, minty aroma. ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ is often praised for its long bloom time, resistance to mildew, and ability to thrive in poor or rocky soils. It performs best in full sun and well-drained soil, and makes a beautiful, low-maintenance addition to native plant gardens, borders, or naturalized areas. Bonus: it's also deer-resistant!

Korean mums, are hardy perennials celebrated for their late-season blooms and impressive cold tolerance. Bred from crosses between traditional garden chrysanthemums and wild Korean species like Chrysanthemum sibiricum, these mums were developed to thrive in colder climates while delivering a burst of autumn color. Their daisy-like flowers tend to feature two-toned petals, in soft blends of pinks, peaches, yellows, and lavenders. Blooming in late fall when most other flowers have faded, Korean mums attract pollinators and add a graceful, natural charm to the garden year after year.