Late August-early September is a challenging time in the garden between the Hydrangeas of summer and the Asters of fall. For some areas of the country, it can mark the beginning of the transition into the dormant season. There are, however, certain plants that do peak during this time in the Chicago area. Many of these plants have added benefit of attracting bees and butterflies. Just like gardeners, these pollinators need a continual flower show too, as they are always searching for a source of nectar. Here are some plants that can fill the void at various places in the landscape:
O R N A M E N T A L T R E E S
Sweetbay Magnolia, Magnolia virginiana, has very sweet, lemon-scented flowers that peak in June but continue sporadically throughout summer. It is semi-evergreen and a Southeastern U.S. native. A small tree that is well-suited to wet soil. Full sun to partial shade. 20′ h.
S H R U B S
Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, bears large, purple-magenta flowers that rise above the perennial garden in late summer. It’s great for attracting butterflies. Native to Illinois, available in many cultivars such as the tried-and-true ‘Magnus'(shown above). Full sun. 24-36″ h.
Garden Phlox, Phlox paniculata, is a long-time garden favorite produces panicles of colorful flowers from summer to frost with deadheading. The lavender-pink phlox is native to Illinois; many garden phlox cultivars are available, which bear blue, purple, white, pink, orange or red flowers. Full sun. 36″ h.
Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis, has vivid red flowers in late summer that make it a showstopper in the garden. An Illinois native that thrives in wet soils. Full sun. 36″ h.
Continuous bloom can be achieved in the classical perennial border by combining these plants with earlier and later flowering species. Many of these plants, such as the ornamental grasses and the Sweetbay Magnolia, are valuable in the garden because of the multiple seasons of interest they provide. Would these plants fit into the bloom sequence in your garden?