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Fall

Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia x candida ) - Angel's trumpets begin to bloom in summer but continue to put on a show in the fall. This shrub/small tree dies back to the ground every year, but, with a good layer of pinestraw through the winter, grows to 8-10 feet the following spring. Angel's trumpet's fragrant blooms are up to 10-inches long and can be in white, peach, yellow, or pink. Hardy in zones 8 to 11 but will grow in containers in northern zones. Two very nice specimens of angel's trumpet are growing in the Courtyard perennial border.
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana) - The beautyberry is native to the United States and Mexico. This plant is rarely noticed for 9 months out of the year. As soon as October rolls around and the berries ripen to a bright purple, heads begin to turn. The shrub's stems are encircled by large clusters of small berries…the effect is stunning! Beautyberries will grow in full sun or high shade, and can reach up to 8 feet in height. We have several specimens throughout The Gardens, including the white-berried form. Hardy in zones 7 to 11. Gardeners in northern climates can try C. dichotoma or C. japonica.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) - This native favorite of gardeners and hummingbirds naturally occurs along stream banks and other moist areas in zones 2 to 9. The cardinal flower is a great choice for the shady to partly shady garden as long as adequate moisture is provided. The bright red blooms occur at the top of a 3 to 4-foot stalk. Our cardinal flowers can be found in the Woodland Garden. Keep your eyes open for the blue cardinal flower (Lobelia siphilitica), too!
Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema x grandiflorum) - Fall is officially here once the mums go in the ground! We fill the Sunken Garden and Courtyard beds with colorful mums in September. While beautiful to look at en masse, the mums are short-lived. They are replaced with bulbs and pansies a month later…so make sure to come to The Gardens the last week of September in order to enjoy the mums!
Japanese Fatsia (Fatsia japonica) - This evergreen shrub is a favorite in the gardens for many reasons. The bold leaves are up to 14 inches across and resemble the paw print of some ancient creature. The creamy white flowers forming 1-inch orbs are held together in 20-inch long panicles which appear in November. Once the flowers fade, dark blue to black berry-like fruits begin to form. Truly unusual and beautiful! In addition to its wonderful habit and flowers, Japanese fatsia are tolerant of salt spray and air pollution. Hardy in zones 8 to 10…7, if protected.
Ginger Lilies (Hedychium species) - As with the Angel's Trumpet, Ginger lilies actually start blooming in the summer, but here it is, late November, and the Hedychium coronarium is still blooming! Their snow-white blooms grace the perennial border in the Courtyard. We also grow H. compactum, H. coccineum, and several hybrids. Ginger lilies are hardy in zones 7 to 10, but can be treated like dahlias in northern climates.
Leopard Plant (Farfugium japonicum ) - This wonderful evergreen perennial is practically carefree! 'Aureo-maculata', the spotted leopard plant is found throughout the gardens. We also have 'Crispata', the crested leopard plant with highly ruffled edges and 'Argentea' with beautiful white and green variegation. All three are low maintenance plants that do well in dry shade to part sun sites. In October each plant produces several 2½-foot stalks bearing yellow, daisy-like flowers. Hardy in zones 7 to 10.
Red Texas Sage (Salvia greggii) - This perennial sage is a non-stop wonder in our Courtyard perennial border. Not only do the hummingbirds like this plant, but so do the Cloudless Sulphur butterflies. The combination of bright red flowers covered with many fluttering yellow butterflies is truly a fantastic sight! Red Texas sage is one of the workhorses of the garden. It starts blooming in late spring and continues blooming until frost. It grows to 2 to 3-feet, and benefits from an occasional cutting back through the flowering season in order to keep the blooms coming. It is tolerant of heat, humidity, and drought, which makes it a perfect choice for Southern gardeners. Hardy in zones 7 to 10.
Sasanqua Camellia (Camellia sasanqua) - The sasanqua camellias ease The Gardens through the autumnal slump. Shorter days and cooler weather might give a person the blahs, but one trip to The Gardens in fall will put a smile on your face. The sasanquas begin to flower in September and continue into December. Their blooms are not quite as big as the Camellia japonica, but they more than make up for it with the number of flowers each plant produces. Also, many are fragrant!