Main Fountain Garden District

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

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.

Widespread in its native home of South Africa, this plant favors loam or clay soils and can be found growing in full sun amongst rocks or grasslands. The orange flowers can be spotted from late summer, all through autumn, and attract birds and butterflies with their nectar, making the garden a hub of activity. Early South African dwellers (Khoisan) smoked the dried leaves and flowers, reporting a feeling of calm and euphoria, giving birth to the common name, wild dagga. The leaves are rough on the upper surface, with toothed margins and give off a herbal aroma when brushed or crushed.

Gulf muhly also known as pink muhly grass, is like a botanical fireworks display in the fall! Native to the southeastern United States, this tough, low-maintenance ornamental grass puts on a stunning show with its airy, cloud-like plumes of pink to purplish flowers that seem to glow in the sunlight. Blooming in late summer to fall, Gulf muhly is not just eye-catching but also it’s drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant, and deer-resistant, making it a favorite for eco-friendly landscapes. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and works beautifully in mass plantings, borders, or even containers. Despite its delicate appearance, it’s a hardy plant (USDA zones 6–10) that brings a soft, ethereal touch to gardens with almost no fuss.

Ipomoea lobata, commonly known as firecracker vine, Spanish flag, or Mina lobata, is a fast-growing, warm-season climber native to Mexico and Central America. A member of the Convolvulaceae (morning glory) family, it is prized for its vibrant, eye-catching floral display. The plant produces slender, arching flower spikes with tubular blooms that shift in color as they mature, beginning deep red, then fading through shades of orange, yellow, and eventually cream giving the appearance of a flame or a cascading flag, hence its common names. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, reaching up to 10–15 feet in a single growing season. While it is not invasive, Ipomoea lobata is often grown as an ornamental annual in temperate regions and is appreciated for its ability to attract hummingbirds and pollinators. 

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 Courtyard.  

Helianthus annuus 'Strawberry Blonde' is a distinctive cultivar of the common sunflower, notable for its unique coloration and ornamental appeal. Unlike traditional yellow sunflowers, this variety features bi-colored petals that fade from deep rose or strawberry-pink at the tips to a soft creamy yellow toward the center, surrounding a dark brown to black disk. As an annual, it grows quickly and typically reaches heights of 5 to 6 feet, making it suitable for borders, pollinator gardens, or cut flower arrangements. Native to North America, Helianthus annuus has a long history of agricultural and ornamental use, and this modern cultivar continues that tradition with added aesthetic value. 'Strawberry Blonde' is also attractive to bees and butterflies, supporting garden biodiversity while offering a novel twist on a classic species.