Spiranthes odorata ‘Chadds Ford’
Chadds Ford fragrant ladies’-tresses are one of the 26 orchids native to the state of Delaware. Unlike their tropical cousins, Chadds Ford fragrant ladies’-tresses are terrestrial and perennial in this climate. They thrive in soggy soil and their blooms have a strong, pleasant fragrance that some describe as vanilla or jasmine.
View More DetailsSymphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’
Raydon’s Favorite aromatic aster is one of our most reliable native perennial asters. It has a strikingly beautiful mounded appearance with masses of violet-blue, daisy-like flowers on 2-3’ tall multi-stemmed plants in mid to late autumn. Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ prefers full sun in well-drained soils that are alkaline to slightly acidic.
View More DetailsHelianthus angustifolius ‘Mellow Yellow’
Mellow Yellow swamp sunflower is a pleasing cultivar of H. angustifolius, growing just a bit shorter than the straight species and developing butter-yellow ray flowers around a darker cluster of disk flowers. This plant prefers soil that is consistently moist, and would do well in a rain garden or other wet area. Mellow Yellow swamp sunflower blooms in mid-to-late fall and is resistant to deer.
View More DetailsEuthamia caroliniana
Slender goldentop is an attractive deciduous perennial with extremely fine texture and soft yellow flowers that make this plant a very special element in the garden. Slender goldentop is one of the last plants to bloom in late autumn, providing one last burst of color in the late season. It spreads by underground roots at a rate closely related to the looseness of the soil and makes beautiful masses.
View More DetailsCallicarpa americana
American beautyberry is an eye-catching, multi-stemmed shrub, particularly striking in the autumn garden. Pale green foliage emerges in spring, followed by lavender-pink flowers in June. By autumn, the flowers mature into masses of purple-magenta fruit clusters that contrast nicely with chartreuse autumn foliage.
View More DetailsSymphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘October Skies’
The soft purple blooms of October Skies aromatic aster are a welcome sight in the late-season garden. This cultivar has a less bushy habit than the straight species, and is less likely to spread. This aster does well in a wide variety of soil types but prefers full sun. Crushing the leaves releases a pleasant scent, hence the specific epithet. This cultivar will not grow true from seed, so it may be worth considering measures to prevent self-seeding.
View More DetailsAmsonia hubrichtii
Long after the small, lily-like blossoms of Hubricht’s bluestar have faded from its spring bloom, this uncommon perennial becomes a focal point of the fall garden. Its mounds of feathery narrow alternate foliage turn a bright golden yellow in autumn. While the best blooming requires some afternoon shade, full sun will produce the best autumn foliage.
View More DetailsLindera benzoin
Lindera benzoin is a multi-stemmed, irregularly rounded understory shrub that reaches 6-12’ tall with foliage and stems that are aromatic when bruised. After blooming, spicebush fades into the woodland and comes to the forefront again in fall with dazzling yellow foliage. Female plants produce showy red fruit. Spicebush does best in partial shade, but will tolerate full sun with adequate moist soils.
View More DetailsSymphyotrichum georgianum
Georgia aster is a gorgeous late-blooming member of the aster family. Its unusually deep violet, narrow-petaled flowers are about 2” across, and bloom from October until frost. The plant spreads by underground roots at a moderate rate forming a nice broad clump. Symphyotrichum georgianum grows well in average soil and can grow in full sun to filtered shade.
View More DetailsHamamelis virginiana
Just when autumn is nearing an end, Hamamelis virginiana bursts into flower. This multi-stemmed, irregular-spreading small tree that can reach 15-20’ tall, produces masses of bright yellow strap-shaped flowers as leaves are dropping. Common witch-hazel grows best in partial shade to full sun. It prefers slightly acidic well-drained to dry soils where it produces stunning autumn flowering and golden foliage displays.
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