October 2009
Fall's Last Blossoms
The Leonard J. Buck Garden, Far Hills, NJ
Enjoy the last blossoms and the brilliant colors that herald the arrival of autumn at the Leonard J. Buck Garden in Far Hills, New Jersey.
You can still see purple and blue blossoms with splashes of yellow in the Azalea Field.
Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii', monkshood, has incredible 5 to 6 foot spikes with amethyst-blue, hooded flowers, and attractive dark green, glossy foliage. The flowers are 1 to 2 inches long and shaped like a hood or helmet, hence the common name. The cultivar 'Arendsii' blooms late, past the first hard frost into mid November. Site this beauty in the back of the border; where the flower bearing-stems will add a strong vertical element. Monkshood demands a well drained soil high in organic matter; waterlogged soils are fatal. Plant monkshood in full sun or partial shade. This deer resistant late bloomer makes a wonderful cut flower. Caution: the roots and seeds of many species contain alkaloids, which are poisonous. The broken stems exude a poisonous sap that can be absorbed through cuts and scratches.
Aster tataricus, Tatarian aster, is native to the Russian Tatar Mountains. This aster is a vigorous grower with strong, erect stems reaching 6 to 7 feet tall. Light lavender-blue daisies appear in September and last well into November. It grows in sun or light shade, and prefers a moist to wet habitat.
Aster tataricus cultivar 'Jindai', also growing in the Azalea Field, is a compact form of the species, growing only 3 to 4 feet in height with the same showy, daisy-like flowers. Growing in moist to well drained soils in full sun, this cultivar was discovered at the Jin-Dai Botanical Garden in Tokyo, Japan. Tatarian asters are best grown in the rear of a border or in naturalized areas. They have no serious pest or disease problems and for the wildlife gardener in all of us, they attract butterflies.
Aster oblongifolia ‘October Skies’, aromatic aster, is a showy, low-growing, bushy aster whose flowers reflect the deep blue color of the October sky. Masses of daisy-type, dark sky blue flowers with yellow centers create a striking display throughout the fall season. Generally drought tolerant, ‘October Skies’ grows in dry to average conditions and tolerates clay and sandy soils. This cultivar is bushier and less apt to spread than the species. Its typical height and spread is 18 x 18 inches. Like most asters, it is attractive to butterflies and makes an excellent cut flower. It derives its common name from foliage which is aromatic when crushed. ‘October Skies’ does not come true from seed, so cut back stems after flowering to prevent the spread of variable seedlings. In Latin aster means star, alluding to the form of the flowerheads.
Waving slender wands along the roadsides and converting acres of land into fields of gold, what would the season be without goldenrod? Goldenrod adds the final touch of imperial splendor to the autumn landscape. They are tough plants that live in moist or dry situations and are lovely in wildflower meadows. Its name, derived from the Latin solidus, whole, and ago, to make, refers to healing virtues attributed to some species. Goldenrod belongs in the daisy family, Compositae.
The large single flowers, made of many – sometimes hundreds – minute florets, are easier to see by insects from a great distance. Insects are able to collect both pollen and nectar, making goldenrod exceedingly popular. Pollen from goldenrod does not cause hay fever, as is commonly believed. Goldenrod pollen is sticky and rarely becomes airborne. A wildlife friendly plant, goldenrod plays host to a myriad of beneficial insects, and even repels some pests. Here are a few species of goldenrod still showing off their bright, golden yellow blooms in the garden.
Solidago rugosa ’Fireworks’ – wrinkle-leaved goldenrod is outstanding with a sensational display of golden flowers that seem to explode from the plant like skyrockets. It grows 3 – 4 feet and likes full sun to partial shade.
Solidago caesia – blue-stem goldenrod may be one of the most common goldenrods, but it is also one of the prettiest and daintiest. The plant’s smooth, purplish stems seem to arch or lean over to one side. Its inflorescence consists of pale golden florets closely bunched together in the axils of lance-shaped leaves. When young its leaves are glabrous and light green, but with age turn blue-grey. Blue-stem goldenrod thrives in partial shade and grows 1 to 3 feet with a 3 to 4 week bloom period.
Solidago flexicaulis – zig-zag goldenrod can be found in moist or dry woodlands and thicket borders. Its zig-zag stem is somewhat angled and grows as if it is uncertain of the proper direction to take. The yellow florets are strung in small clusters in the leaf axils; the leaves are egg shaped, sharply toothed, and abruptly narrowed at the base to a short stalk.
Surrounding the Leonard J. Buck Garden is an extension of woodland which amplifies the autumn palate; fluorescent gold, oranges and reds provide a stunning backdrop as you sit on one of the garden benches surveying this dazzling display.
- Tricia Scibilia, interpretive gardener
* All photos by Tricia Scibilia
Leonard J. Buck Garden, Somerset County Park System:
www.somersetcountyparks.org/
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