September 2006

Leonard J. Buck Garden, Far Hills, NJ

Perennial sunflowers, black eyed-Susans and sedums have created a colorful September portrait at the Leonard J. Buck Garden

Perennial sunflowers, Helianthus spp., are an essential element in the late summer and autumn garden, with their long lasting yellow flowers. The name is derived from the Greek helios, meaning sun, and anthos, meaning flower. The sunflower was once an emblem of the Sun God of the Incas.

In the Kennel Field you will find Helianthus salicifolius 'Lemon Queen.' This perennial sunflower has 2-inch light yellow daisies flowering freely and abundantly from August to October. Its sturdy stems grow 6-7 feet tall, making it a great plant for the back of the border. This cheery sunflower enjoys full sun and is tolerant of both moist and very dry soils.

Rudbeckia, black-eyed Susan, was named by Linnaeus to honor his teacher and mentor, Olaf Rudbeck, a Swedish botanist. Rudbeckia nitida 'Herbstonne' is another late season perennial that will catch your eye in the back of a border. Its drooping daisy-like petals are vibrant yellow with a green conical center that juts up in the air like a nose. This sturdy perennial grows 7-8 feet tall and requires no staking.

Well suited for any setting Herbstonne makes a beautiful backdrop against the weathered split rail fence in our Perennial Border. Black-eyed Susan's nodding flowers are a delight to look at, and their large, gently lobed leaves create a calm background. The flowers are also good for cutting so you can enjoy them inside as well. They are native to North America and are commonly found in moist meadows and along the forest edge.

The most obvious plant that should not be overlooked during this time of year is the sedum. In addition to their long blooming period, their foliage gives season-long appeal. I can't imagine a garden without them.

Drought-tolerant sedums are easily cultivated with very few problems. Hylotelphium spectabilis, 'Showy Stonecrop,' and Sedum 'Frosty Morn' are just two of the many sedums growing at Buck Garden.

H. spectabilis is native to Eastern Asia. It grows 18-24 inches with an 18-inch spread. It has upright fleshy stems with 3 inches long, pale green, egg-shaped, faintly toothed, leaves. Showy Stonecrop produces terminal clusters of pale-pink starry flowers in late summer. In autumn through winter, the flowers turn a rusty-red. This sedum grows happily in well-drained soil facing the sun on the rock outcropping named Big Rock.

Sedum 'Frosty Morn' is a showy sedum with variegated leaves. It was brought from Japan by plantsman and former Leonard J. Buck Garden Superintendent, Barry Yinger. The upright Frosty Morn grows 12-18 inches in height with a similar spread. In late summer into fall you will be pleased to notice bees and butterflies are attracted to its blossoms of white, touched with a slight pink blush.

But it's the outstanding succulent's oval leaves edged in creamy white that has quenched the thirst of variegated plant lovers everywhere. You will enjoy the green and white foliage spring, summer, and fall. You can see this variegated gem on Horseshoe Rock, one of the hottest and driest spots in the garden.

Late season perennials are keeping things interesting at the Leonard J. Buck Garden and will continue to do so, until their dazzling end at the season finale.

- Tricia Scibilia, interpretive gardener

Leonard J. Buck Garden: www.somersetcountyparks.org/