Wild Swan Windflower at the Preserve gardens from left to right: Thuya Garden, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden, and Asticou Garden
The other day, a garden guest asked me which perennials are best for the end of August into September blooms. I was slightly overwhelmed. How do I list them all? Oh my!
A few that came to mind were Vernonia sp. (Ironweed), Helianthus sp. (Perennial Sunflowers), Helenium sp. (Sneezeweed), Tricyrtis sp. (Toad Lily, one of my favorites), Gentiana sp. (Gentians), Eutrochium sp. (Joe-Pye Weed), Actea sp. (Snakeroot), Buddleja sp. (Butterfly bush), and the Anenome sp. (Windflower).
One perennial plant worth highlighting is Anenome hybrid Wild Swan™, commonly known as Wild Swan Windflower. This year, I discovered it blooming at the end of August near the Meeting House at the Asticou Azalea Garden, in the perennial border garden at Thuya Garden, and in the border gardens at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden. Since three plant designers each independently planted this perennial in these landscapes where they are thriving, you can have confidence that it is a good one.
Look for Wild Swan Windflower at your favorite plant nursery or pursue the online retail plant options this winter as plant stock becomes available for spring shipping. Remember to shop early.
P.S. Bees love it!
By Cassie Banning, Director of Farm & Gardens
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