As usual, September is a most glorious month in the garden here at Hayefield. I could spend all day just wandering around with my camera. Looking through the images from the last few weeks, though, I realized that the garden pictures look pretty much like they do every other year. Rather than repeating the same garden views from previous Septembers, I thought I’d focus just on the plants–particularly those I haven’t shown before (at least this year), to keep things interesting. So, here are some highlights, starting with the annuals.
‘Kikyo Snowflakes’ Japanese morning glory (Ipomoea nil)
‘Blueberry Twist’ morning glory (Ipomoea): new on left, from the previous day on the right
‘Sazanami’ (‘Ripples’) Japanese morning glory (Ipomoea nil)
A new find in the meadow this year: amberique bean (Strophostyles helvola), also known as trailing fuzzybean, happly climbing the tall stems of New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis)
A sampling of September perennials…
Japanese bush clover (Lespedeza thunbergii)
Never having found seeds on my Japanese bush clover (Lespedeza thunbergii) plants, I was intrigued that Special Plants had seeds for sale. I started them this spring and they are already flowering.
White-fruited purple beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma f. albifructa)
Coyote willow (Salix exigua) is native to western North America. It wasn’t sure it wanted to live here, but I think it has finally decided to stay. It is suckering now and looks so pretty popping up in various spots in the lower meadow.
My first pawpaws (Asimina triloba)! I have three trees, and two of them are flowering size. I nearly missed their bloom season but managed to hand-pollinate two flowers on this one, and each one set five fruits. I’ve been checking them every day and can’t wait to try them. It’s been many years since I had the chance to taste one.
I got a new medlar (Mespilus germanica) tree! The previous one lasted only a few years, but I really wanted to try again, and I couldn’t resist when I found one for sale locally. I just discovered that it can get cedar-apple rust, which is a big problem here, but maybe I will get lucky.
Looking back over the growing season, I still have a bit of regret that I didn’t keep up with things in the garden as well as I usually do, but the plants have been generous with seeds anyway. Since July, I’ve spent at least an hour a day collecting, and now I’m busy cleaning and packing them. My goal is to have my Etsy shop fully restocked by late October, so the next few weeks are going to be pretty hectic. Instead of doing an October Bloom Day post, I’m planning to start writing about some of my seedy favorites each month through the winter. There are just so many cool plants that deserve more attention! I’ll see you again next month; in the meantime, I wish you all a beautiful autumn (or spring) in your own garden.
Easy to see why you think September is the best month for your garden. So many incredible combinations.
Thanks, Linda! Yes, all this and aster season still to come. What a great time of year.
-Nan
katherine patrick
Nancy, how cool that you are back blogging again. I have missed you! What a wonderful assortment of plants you have posted for us. I love to see the natives and unusuals… things I would never have thought to grow. I was especially pleased to see the trailing fuzzy bean. This has volunteered in one of my beds and I wondered what it was. It does tend to smother things however.
Please include some wider shots of the garden when you can. They may be the same views to you but we never tire of them even when the garden gets away from you. It is actually comforting to know that even the “experts” have those times. Kate
Great to hear from you today, Kate. The fuzzybean was something I identified just this month, after wondering all season. I don’t remember it being so abundant as this year. I do think it’s a little too enthusiastic for a “normal” garden, better out in the meadow. But it might be an interesting option for someone who is looking for an annual vine that is native. I will remember your request for garden shots for next season, I promise!
-Nan
NICK
Super awesome choices and interesting selection for us plant nerds. I know what you mean about keeping up with the garden.
I’m so glad you found the plants of interest, Nick. Thanks for stopping by!
-Nan
Tracy
Nan, what beautiful photos. And you’ve reminded me to go check out your shop, which I’ll do right now. I will never forget your kindness to me a few years ago, sending seeds to me, just because I couldn’t find them elsewhere. I’d certainly rather send a payment to someone like you than an anonymous supplier. All the best to you!
Aw, that’s so nice, Tracy. I’m cleaning and restocking as quickly as I can!
-Nan
Nono
Hello Nan, so happy to read you again. Your photos are very, very beautiful, I love all of them. Thank you.
Greetings, Nono. So kind of you to come for a virtual visit today. I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour!
-Nan
rox
Uau Nan, where did you get that Nelly’s Lime Dot Boltonia? Looks great…
Wonderful post as usual!!
Ah, trust you to spot one of my new favorites, Rox. I got ‘Nally’s Lime Dot’ this spring from a nursery called Avant Gardens: https://www.avantgardensne.com/
I kind of doubt that the (mostly) apetalous trait will come true from seed, but if you want to try, let me know.
-Nan
You have so many lovely and unusual plants, My wish list grew again. I love the way your blog looks, too. Happy Autumn! P. x
Hah–always happy to enable a fellow plant fanatic, Pam. Happy autumn to you too!
-Nan
Liz Manugian
Pure inspiration! Thank you, Nancy!
How lovely of you to say that, Liz. Happy Bloom Day to you!
-Nan
Kem Mirsky
Stunning, Nancy! Just shared on my own page and the courtyard project page and written myself a reminder to check back on your shop in October!
I’m honored, Kem; many thanks to you. It’s been a good day for seed cleaning here, but there are still many, many to go. Fortunately, cleaning seeds is a fascinating and rewarding project. I’ll have to see if I have anything you might enjoy for the school garden next year.
-Nan
Daniela Baloi
Superb pictures and plants Nan! What time of the year do you start the seed for the Daucus carota? I started mine in June but it barely grew from a small seedling. Should I start the seed indoor in the winter?
Thanks, Daniela! Regarding the Daucus carota…last year, I direct-sowed the seeds in March, and they did ok–kind of spindly but they did produce some flowers. I let them self-sow, and the plants that came up this spring were much larger and more vigorous, and they have been flowering since early July.
-Nan
Beautiful photos, Nan. The colors of those morning glories are nearly surreal. Your photo of Hibiscus trionum now has me wondering what happened to mine.
Thank you, Kris. I was really lucky to get some special morning glory seeds this year from Jacksonville Morning Glory Vineyard. I’m hoping to get some seeds from the plants before frost. You didn’t find any Hibiscus trionum volunteers this year? I have seeds if you need some to get it going again.
-Nan
Sandy
Always a great inspiration to see your beautiful photographs, Nan. Thank you. Sandy
Very kind of you to say that, Sandy. Thanks for visiting!
-Nan
Susan Gilmour
Thanks for inspiring me once again! I have my paper and pen out writing down the plants the you have blooming that I don’t this time of year. Seems like all I see are coneflowers and rudbeckias when I look outside. I love that Lime Dot Boltonia! I have the white one, they are the hardest plants to find. I have only seen them once. And Rosilla, how sweet, I do have the regular colours of Helenium. And that Japanese jacinth, did you grow that from seed as well. I also grew a paw paw from seed and never knew I would need two for pollination, it is only 2′ high and I have to bring it in the winter. I see yours are huge so I probably don’t stand a chance! I am out there moving stuff around trying to create the vignettes I see in my mind’s eye! So much fun, hope you have a wonderful day! TTFN…Sue Gilmour
Hi Sue! You’re right: it’s surprisingly hard to find even the regular Boltonia for sale. And yes, I grew the jacinth from seed started several years ago; it too is hard to find. It’s my understanding that you need two unrelated pawpaws for cross pollination. Mine now produce many flowers (one plant is about 5 feet tall, the other is about 8 feet), but the blooms I hand-pollinated are the only ones that have set fruit. Enjoy your rearranging projects this fall. So good that you are able to enjoy being out there this year!
-Nan
Allan
Thank you for sharing your beautiful/querky/ interesting plants with us Nan, always a pleasure to receive and view your posts.
Hi Allan! I’m glad you enjoyed this month’s selections. There’s certainly a lot going on out in the garden this month. I hope your own gardening season has gone all right despite the weather challenges.
-Nan
You have an amazingly colorful garden! I recognize a few of your plants as I grow those too but many are new to me. Lovely to get a tour of your blooms.
Hi there, Karen! Isn’t it a treat to learn about new plants? That just never gets old. So glad I could share a few with you.
-Nan
My neighbor is growing the S. quitoense. I will ask if he can save me seeds. Fingers crossed.
margaret atwell
Hello Nan, I am wondering where the spineless Solanun quitoense came from? I had no idea there was one.
Hi Margaret. I ordered the seed this year from Chiltern expecting the spiny kind and got this one. Apparently the spineless one is more desirable for flavor. My plants haven’t even produced flowers yet, so it doesn’t look like I will be getting any of the fruits to try (or seeds to save).
-Nan
Tiiu Mayer
Your collage at the end reminds me of the finale at 4th of July fireworks! Lovely. It was a treat to see so many native meadow plants – too many gardeners would ‘weed’ them right out. Your Patrinia scabiosifolia plants have seeded politely and bloomed and bloomed for months here.
Thank you!
That’s so good to hear, Tiiu. Yes, it’s getting harder to tell my garden from the meadow areas as the years go by–not that that is a bad thing.
-Nan
Well, I’ll try again. This wordpress login format erases your comment if you haven’t logged in. Anyway, lovely post and thanks for the detail on the pictures.
Ack, sorry about that. Thanks for trying again; I appreciate the feedback!
-Nan
J Hicks
Your garden is amazing. The plants all look fresh and beautiful and the variety is incredible. (My garden here in 7b has been quick fried to a crackly crunch by our high temps and low precip. I really enjoy these monthly bloom day postsl
I am interested in growing Pawpaws. It sounds like they might be a little tricky. Are they?
Thanks so much! Yeah, it was too much rain earlier, then rather little since late July. The pawpaws have been a challenge for me, I think because I have them in full sun and they would prefer a bit of shade, as they are normally understory trees.
-Nan
lorraine bujnowski
Thank you for sharing your garden for September bloom day. I enjoyed it so much.
I really appreciate you saying that, Lorraine. I hope you enjoying your own garden through this fall season.
-Nan
gayle
Hi Nan – wow!! So beautiful!! I got so excited to see your email in my inbox!! I looked at the post on my phone and then this morning wanted to write a comment so I opened it on my laptop and the pictures are even more amazing on my big computer screen – I enjoyed the tour through your garden all over again!!!
I was wondering if you have grown Euphorbia – Summer Icicle? I too absolutely love to collect the seeds from my garden – I find it very soothing/meditative – and love the time I spend doing it. Anyway, about the seed of this plant … when the seed ripens it ‘pops’ from the seed pod and gets disbursed and I’m having trouble catching the pods before they have ‘popped’. One day the seed pod is still closed – I come back the next day and I find they have ‘popped’ and the seeds are already out of the seed pod. So my question is do you know if I were to cut the pods and let them dry off the plant if the seed would still be viable?
Thank you!!
Great to hear from you, Gayle! Yes, I do grow Euphorbia marginata, and I know the challenge of collecting its seeds. I have learned to pick the pods off when they start to turn from solid green to yellow. That means checking the plants every day, as you know! I put the pods in a brown paper bag in a dry place, and the capsules usually end up popping in there.
-Nan
gayle
Nan – thank you so much for the info and the quick response!! Greatly appreciated!! I’ll head out there now and start picking!!
You are most welcome, Gayle. I wish you good luck. If you’re still having problems getting the seeds, let me know.
-Nan
I enjoyed the fantastic variety and color from your garden! These past few days I have seen the brilliant yellow of goldenrod along the roads and in open fields, but I don’t see the complementary purple of the asters–they don’t seem to grow together here in my area.
Thanks for the tour through your garden!
Verna
I have been thinking of you often recently, as the rich purple asters and the various goldenrods are blooming together here. I always associate that combination with you now.
-Nancy
You certainly got some odd one there. Nasturtium always gets my attention, but there are so many more interesting items. I had not seen purple Queen Anne’s lace. Actually, there are more here that are unfamiliar to me than familiar. Is goldenrod a new fad, or has it always been popular? It became available here only recently. I am concerned about it naturalizing. The native species is not as pretty. That willow is the only item that is a bit too familiar. Although not native here, it is native nearby. There is one outside, just because I brought a stem back from Reno. I don’t know what to do with it, but I do not need it to escape into the wild.
You’re right, Tony: until a few years ago, goldenrods were a really tough sell. I guess the interest in supporting pollinators has helped to bring the plants more into the mainstream. Maybe you could grow the willow in a large decorative pot? That might help to keep it bushier, and you wouldn’t have to be concerned about it spreading.
-Nan
Britta
Very inspirational, Nan! Again some plants I never heard of, I’m intrigued. I have only tasted pawpaw once in my live and really enjoyed it. I’ve read that they are pollinated by flies and some farmers used to hang a dead animal in the trees to attract them. What a grisly thought! Far better to hand pollinate. :)
Thank you, Britta! I have heard the same about pawpaw pollination. I think I would rather not have them if decorating them with dead animals were a requirement. I hope to harvest the fruits in the next week or so and taste them not long after that.
-Nan
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![Flower of an hour (Hibiscus trionum) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/hibiscus-trionum-1.jpg?resize=530%2C796&ssl=1)
!['Irish Poet' tassel flower (Emilia javanica) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/emilia-javanica-irish-poet.jpg?resize=530%2C530&ssl=1)
!['Velouette' cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/cosmos-bipinnatus.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
!['Purple Kisses' Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/daucus-carota-purple-kisses.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![South African foxglove (Ceratotheca triloba) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ceratotheca-triloba.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
!['Mega Punk' spike celosia (Celosia argentea Spicata Group) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/celosia-spicata-mega-punk.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Amethyst flower (Browallia americana) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/browallia-americana.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Winged everlasting (Ammobium alatum) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ammobium-alatum.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
!['Tip Top Mahogany' nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/tropaeolum-majus-tip-top-mahogany.jpg?resize=530%2C796&ssl=1)
![Mexican tarragon or Mexican mint marigold (Tagetes lucida) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/tagetes-lucida.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Spineless naranjilla (Solanum quitoense var. quitoense) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/solanum-quitoense.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Petunia exserta [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/petunia-exserta.jpg?resize=530%2C793&ssl=1)
![Rat-tail radish (Raphanus sativus var. caudatus) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/raphanus-sativus-caudatus-1.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Red mallow (Pavonia missionum) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pavonia-missionum-2.jpg?resize=530%2C795&ssl=1)
![Nicotiana mutabilis [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/nicotiana-mutabilis.jpg?resize=530%2C706&ssl=1)
!['Orange Crush' four-o'clock (Mirabilis jalapa) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/mirabilis-jalapa-orange-crush.jpg?resize=530%2C795&ssl=1)
![Aztec sweet herb (Phyla [Lippia] dulcis) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lippia-dulcis.jpg?resize=530%2C795&ssl=1)
![Yoke-leaved amicia (Amicia zygomeris) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/amicia-zygomeris.jpg?resize=530%2C530&ssl=1)
![Commelina tuberosa (Coelestis Group) 'Hopleys Variegated' [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/commelina-coelestis-hopleys-variegated.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Red noodle bean (Vigna unguiculata 'Red Noodle') [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/vigna-unguiculata-red-noodle.jpg?resize=530%2C795&ssl=1)
![Corkscrew vine (Cochliasanthus [Vigna] caracalla} [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/cochliasanthus-caracalla.jpg?resize=530%2C795&ssl=1)
![White cathedral bells (Cobaea scandens 'Alba') and white cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit 'Alba') [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/cobaea-scandens-alba.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Ipomoea purpurea 'Sunrise Serenade' [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ipomoea-sunrise-serenade.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Ipomoea nil 'Kikyo Snowflakes' [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ipomoea-nil-kikyo-snowflakes.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
!['Blueberry Twist' morning glory (Ipomoea) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ipomoea-blueberry-twist-1.jpg?resize=530%2C620&ssl=1)
![Ipomoea nil 'Sazanami' ('Ripples') [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ipomoea-nil-sazanami.jpg?resize=530%2C530&ssl=1)
![Strophostyles helvola [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/strophostyles-helvola.jpg?resize=530%2C530&ssl=1)
![Japanese bush clover (Lespedeza thunbergii) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lespedeza-thunbergii-gibraltar.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Japanese bush clover (Lespedeza thunbergii) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lespedeza-thunbergii.jpg?resize=529%2C705&ssl=1)
![Round-headed bush clover (Lespedeza capitata) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lespedeza-capitata.jpg?resize=530%2C795&ssl=1)
![Bitter panic grass (Panicum amarum) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/panicum-amarum.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Golden lace (Patrinia scabiosifolia) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/patrinia-scabiosifolia.jpg?resize=530%2C795&ssl=1)
!['Henry Eilers' sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/rudbeckia-subtomentosa-henry-eilers.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Hylotelephium erythrostictum (formerly Sedum alboroseum) 'Mediovariegatum' [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/sedum-alboroseum-mediovariegatum.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
!['Solar Cascade' Short's goldenrod (Solidago shortii) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/solidago-shortii-solar-cascade.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Boehmeria trisuspis [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/boehmeria-tricuspis.jpg?resize=530%2C530&ssl=1)
![Japanese jacinth (Barnardia scilloides) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/barnardia-scilloides.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
!['Nally's Lime Dot' boltonia (Boltonia asteroides) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/boltonia-nallys-lime-dot.jpg?resize=530%2C795&ssl=1)
![Tall coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/coreopsis-tripteris.jpg?resize=530%2C795&ssl=1)
![Rosilla (Helenium puberulum) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/helenium-puberulum-1.jpg?resize=530%2C797&ssl=1)
![Seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/kosteletzkya-virginica-1.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Hyssop-leaved thoroughwort (Eupatorium hyssopifolium) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/eupatorium-hyssopifolium.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![White-fruited purple beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma f. albifructa) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/callicarpa-dichotoma-f.-albifructa.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Coyote willow (Salix exigua) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/salix-exigua-2.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
![Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/asimina-triloba.jpg?resize=530%2C663&ssl=1)
![Medlar (Mespilus germanica) [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/mespilus-germanica.jpg?resize=530%2C530&ssl=1)
![A sampling of September beauties [©Nancy J. Ondra/Hayefield.com]](https://i0.wp.com/hayefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/gbbd-background-september.jpg?resize=530%2C707&ssl=1)
Thanks for this wonderful post, Nancy. So many interesting varieties.
Good morning, Jan! I appreciate you visiting today. I hope you have a beautiful day with your flowers.
-Nan
Just beautiful and always informative.
Thank you, Carol.Happy Bloom Day to you!
-Nan
Easy to see why you think September is the best month for your garden. So many incredible combinations.
Thanks, Linda! Yes, all this and aster season still to come. What a great time of year.
-Nan
Nancy, how cool that you are back blogging again. I have missed you! What a wonderful assortment of plants you have posted for us. I love to see the natives and unusuals… things I would never have thought to grow. I was especially pleased to see the trailing fuzzy bean. This has volunteered in one of my beds and I wondered what it was. It does tend to smother things however.
Please include some wider shots of the garden when you can. They may be the same views to you but we never tire of them even when the garden gets away from you. It is actually comforting to know that even the “experts” have those times. Kate
Great to hear from you today, Kate. The fuzzybean was something I identified just this month, after wondering all season. I don’t remember it being so abundant as this year. I do think it’s a little too enthusiastic for a “normal” garden, better out in the meadow. But it might be an interesting option for someone who is looking for an annual vine that is native. I will remember your request for garden shots for next season, I promise!
-Nan
Super awesome choices and interesting selection for us plant nerds. I know what you mean about keeping up with the garden.
I’m so glad you found the plants of interest, Nick. Thanks for stopping by!
-Nan
Nan, what beautiful photos. And you’ve reminded me to go check out your shop, which I’ll do right now. I will never forget your kindness to me a few years ago, sending seeds to me, just because I couldn’t find them elsewhere. I’d certainly rather send a payment to someone like you than an anonymous supplier. All the best to you!
Aw, that’s so nice, Tracy. I’m cleaning and restocking as quickly as I can!
-Nan
Hello Nan, so happy to read you again. Your photos are very, very beautiful, I love all of them. Thank you.
Greetings, Nono. So kind of you to come for a virtual visit today. I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour!
-Nan
Uau Nan, where did you get that Nelly’s Lime Dot Boltonia? Looks great…
Wonderful post as usual!!
Ah, trust you to spot one of my new favorites, Rox. I got ‘Nally’s Lime Dot’ this spring from a nursery called Avant Gardens: https://www.avantgardensne.com/
I kind of doubt that the (mostly) apetalous trait will come true from seed, but if you want to try, let me know.
-Nan
You have so many lovely and unusual plants, My wish list grew again. I love the way your blog looks, too. Happy Autumn! P. x
Hah–always happy to enable a fellow plant fanatic, Pam. Happy autumn to you too!
-Nan
Pure inspiration! Thank you, Nancy!
How lovely of you to say that, Liz. Happy Bloom Day to you!
-Nan
Stunning, Nancy! Just shared on my own page and the courtyard project page and written myself a reminder to check back on your shop in October!
I’m honored, Kem; many thanks to you. It’s been a good day for seed cleaning here, but there are still many, many to go. Fortunately, cleaning seeds is a fascinating and rewarding project. I’ll have to see if I have anything you might enjoy for the school garden next year.
-Nan
Superb pictures and plants Nan! What time of the year do you start the seed for the Daucus carota? I started mine in June but it barely grew from a small seedling. Should I start the seed indoor in the winter?
Thanks, Daniela! Regarding the Daucus carota…last year, I direct-sowed the seeds in March, and they did ok–kind of spindly but they did produce some flowers. I let them self-sow, and the plants that came up this spring were much larger and more vigorous, and they have been flowering since early July.
-Nan
Beautiful photos, Nan. The colors of those morning glories are nearly surreal. Your photo of Hibiscus trionum now has me wondering what happened to mine.
Thank you, Kris. I was really lucky to get some special morning glory seeds this year from Jacksonville Morning Glory Vineyard. I’m hoping to get some seeds from the plants before frost. You didn’t find any Hibiscus trionum volunteers this year? I have seeds if you need some to get it going again.
-Nan
Always a great inspiration to see your beautiful photographs, Nan. Thank you. Sandy
Very kind of you to say that, Sandy. Thanks for visiting!
-Nan
Thanks for inspiring me once again! I have my paper and pen out writing down the plants the you have blooming that I don’t this time of year. Seems like all I see are coneflowers and rudbeckias when I look outside. I love that Lime Dot Boltonia! I have the white one, they are the hardest plants to find. I have only seen them once. And Rosilla, how sweet, I do have the regular colours of Helenium. And that Japanese jacinth, did you grow that from seed as well. I also grew a paw paw from seed and never knew I would need two for pollination, it is only 2′ high and I have to bring it in the winter. I see yours are huge so I probably don’t stand a chance! I am out there moving stuff around trying to create the vignettes I see in my mind’s eye! So much fun, hope you have a wonderful day! TTFN…Sue Gilmour
Hi Sue! You’re right: it’s surprisingly hard to find even the regular Boltonia for sale. And yes, I grew the jacinth from seed started several years ago; it too is hard to find. It’s my understanding that you need two unrelated pawpaws for cross pollination. Mine now produce many flowers (one plant is about 5 feet tall, the other is about 8 feet), but the blooms I hand-pollinated are the only ones that have set fruit. Enjoy your rearranging projects this fall. So good that you are able to enjoy being out there this year!
-Nan
Thank you for sharing your beautiful/querky/ interesting plants with us Nan, always a pleasure to receive and view your posts.
Hi Allan! I’m glad you enjoyed this month’s selections. There’s certainly a lot going on out in the garden this month. I hope your own gardening season has gone all right despite the weather challenges.
-Nan
You have an amazingly colorful garden! I recognize a few of your plants as I grow those too but many are new to me. Lovely to get a tour of your blooms.
Hi there, Karen! Isn’t it a treat to learn about new plants? That just never gets old. So glad I could share a few with you.
-Nan
My neighbor is growing the S. quitoense. I will ask if he can save me seeds. Fingers crossed.
Hello Nan, I am wondering where the spineless Solanun quitoense came from? I had no idea there was one.
Hi Margaret. I ordered the seed this year from Chiltern expecting the spiny kind and got this one. Apparently the spineless one is more desirable for flavor. My plants haven’t even produced flowers yet, so it doesn’t look like I will be getting any of the fruits to try (or seeds to save).
-Nan
Your collage at the end reminds me of the finale at 4th of July fireworks! Lovely. It was a treat to see so many native meadow plants – too many gardeners would ‘weed’ them right out. Your Patrinia scabiosifolia plants have seeded politely and bloomed and bloomed for months here.
Thank you!
That’s so good to hear, Tiiu. Yes, it’s getting harder to tell my garden from the meadow areas as the years go by–not that that is a bad thing.
-Nan
Well, I’ll try again. This wordpress login format erases your comment if you haven’t logged in. Anyway, lovely post and thanks for the detail on the pictures.
Ack, sorry about that. Thanks for trying again; I appreciate the feedback!
-Nan
Your garden is amazing. The plants all look fresh and beautiful and the variety is incredible. (My garden here in 7b has been quick fried to a crackly crunch by our high temps and low precip. I really enjoy these monthly bloom day postsl
I am interested in growing Pawpaws. It sounds like they might be a little tricky. Are they?
Thanks so much! Yeah, it was too much rain earlier, then rather little since late July. The pawpaws have been a challenge for me, I think because I have them in full sun and they would prefer a bit of shade, as they are normally understory trees.
-Nan
Thank you for sharing your garden for September bloom day. I enjoyed it so much.
I really appreciate you saying that, Lorraine. I hope you enjoying your own garden through this fall season.
-Nan
Hi Nan – wow!! So beautiful!! I got so excited to see your email in my inbox!! I looked at the post on my phone and then this morning wanted to write a comment so I opened it on my laptop and the pictures are even more amazing on my big computer screen – I enjoyed the tour through your garden all over again!!!
I was wondering if you have grown Euphorbia – Summer Icicle? I too absolutely love to collect the seeds from my garden – I find it very soothing/meditative – and love the time I spend doing it. Anyway, about the seed of this plant … when the seed ripens it ‘pops’ from the seed pod and gets disbursed and I’m having trouble catching the pods before they have ‘popped’. One day the seed pod is still closed – I come back the next day and I find they have ‘popped’ and the seeds are already out of the seed pod. So my question is do you know if I were to cut the pods and let them dry off the plant if the seed would still be viable?
Thank you!!
Great to hear from you, Gayle! Yes, I do grow Euphorbia marginata, and I know the challenge of collecting its seeds. I have learned to pick the pods off when they start to turn from solid green to yellow. That means checking the plants every day, as you know! I put the pods in a brown paper bag in a dry place, and the capsules usually end up popping in there.
-Nan
Nan – thank you so much for the info and the quick response!! Greatly appreciated!! I’ll head out there now and start picking!!
You are most welcome, Gayle. I wish you good luck. If you’re still having problems getting the seeds, let me know.
-Nan
I enjoyed the fantastic variety and color from your garden! These past few days I have seen the brilliant yellow of goldenrod along the roads and in open fields, but I don’t see the complementary purple of the asters–they don’t seem to grow together here in my area.
Thanks for the tour through your garden!
Verna
I have been thinking of you often recently, as the rich purple asters and the various goldenrods are blooming together here. I always associate that combination with you now.
-Nancy
You certainly got some odd one there. Nasturtium always gets my attention, but there are so many more interesting items. I had not seen purple Queen Anne’s lace. Actually, there are more here that are unfamiliar to me than familiar. Is goldenrod a new fad, or has it always been popular? It became available here only recently. I am concerned about it naturalizing. The native species is not as pretty. That willow is the only item that is a bit too familiar. Although not native here, it is native nearby. There is one outside, just because I brought a stem back from Reno. I don’t know what to do with it, but I do not need it to escape into the wild.
You’re right, Tony: until a few years ago, goldenrods were a really tough sell. I guess the interest in supporting pollinators has helped to bring the plants more into the mainstream. Maybe you could grow the willow in a large decorative pot? That might help to keep it bushier, and you wouldn’t have to be concerned about it spreading.
-Nan
Very inspirational, Nan! Again some plants I never heard of, I’m intrigued. I have only tasted pawpaw once in my live and really enjoyed it. I’ve read that they are pollinated by flies and some farmers used to hang a dead animal in the trees to attract them. What a grisly thought! Far better to hand pollinate. :)
Thank you, Britta! I have heard the same about pawpaw pollination. I think I would rather not have them if decorating them with dead animals were a requirement. I hope to harvest the fruits in the next week or so and taste them not long after that.
-Nan