September brings a shift in the air with cooler mornings, softer light, and hints of fall color beginning to emerge. It’s a transitional time in the garden, where late blooms mingle with early autumn tones, and the landscape takes on a whole new kind of beauty. This month’s featured plants showcase that in-between magic, thriving in the lingering warmth while hinting at what’s to come.
The Medusa Ornamental Onion is still going strong, its unique blooms standing tall and making a statement as summer winds down. Prairie Winds Cheyenne Sky grass is hitting its stride, adding movement and rich, reddish tones that play beautifully with autumn palettes. The Empress Wu Hosta continues to impress with its massive, architectural leaves and is proof that foliage can steal the show even this late in the game. And stepping into the spotlight for fall color, the Inferno Sugar Maple is beginning its fiery transformation, showing off brilliant reds and oranges that will only intensify as the season unfolds.
These plants are the perfect bridge between summer abundance and fall brilliance. Stop by the nursery to see them in person and get inspired to refresh your garden with seasonal stunners that shine through September and beyond.
Medusa Ornamental Onion
Image source: Bailey Nurseries
Description:
Add texture and intrigue to the perennial border and containers with this ornamental onion who’s features mimic Medusa’s mythological snakes. The low mound of narrow grey-green foliage curls and twists, with the nodding buds resembling snake eyes before they open and begin to straighten. Flowers are a light amethyst purple forming nearly 2” round clusters that put on a show for nearly a month. Well behaved, it forms clumps that slowly spread with no seedlings. It is largely left alone by rabbits and deer.
Species Specs
Height: 20-24”
Spread: 24”
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Foliage: Grey-green
Zone: 4-8
Plant Care:
Plant it in full sun and well-draining soil to prevent bulb rot. Water occasionally to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, especially when the plant is young. After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally, and trim the plants in late fall or early spring. Medusa Alliums are low-maintenance, attracting pollinators while deterring deer and rabbits.
Prairie Winds Cheyenne Sky Red Switch Grass
Image source: Proven Winners Nurseries
Description:
Forms a dense, upright clump of blue-green leaves that turn wine red in early summer. Purple flower panicles appear just above the foliage in late summer. This petite red grass is ideal for containers. This ornamental grass offers seasonal color and winter interest, so you may want to leave it standing through winter for added visual appeal and habitat.
Species Specs
Height: 3’
Spread: 18”
Exposure: Full Sun
Foliage: Green, Red in fall
Zone: 4-9
Plant Care:
Provide full sun, average to moist, well-drained soil, and water until established, then it will be quite drought-tolerant. Prune by cutting the clump back to a few inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.
Empress Wu Hosta
Image source: Monrovia Nurseries
Description:
The largest known hosta available! This massive plant forms a gigantic upright mound of huge, thick, dark green leaves topped with pale reddish violet flowers. It will make a fantastic statement in your shade garden.
Species Specs
Height: 3-4’
Spread: 5-6’
Shape: Upright mound
Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade
Foliage: Dark Green
Zone: 3-9
Plant Care:
Performs well in average or fertile soil, average water needs. In spring, a light fertilizer can be applied around the emerging plant, but not touching it. Groom plants by removing yellow or dead leaves and cut flower spikes back as they finish blooming in summer. Leave foliage standing in fall to help protect the crown. If desired, a layer of mulch can be applied in a 2" layer very near the base.
Inferno™ Sugar Maple
Image source: Bailey Nurseries
Description:
A cold hardy selection of Canada’s national tree with dark green leaves that turn a fiery orange-red in the fall. This maple is less particular about soil pH than other varieties, but it prefers rich, well drained soil and a sheltered location. With an overall ascending habit Inferno™ is relatively low maintenance.
Species Specs
Height: 30-40’
Spread: 20-25’
Exposure: Full Sun
Foliage: Dark Green turning to Orange, Red and Yellow in Fall
Zone: 3-8
Plant Care:
Provide full sun to partial shade, rich, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture, especially when young. Prune in the summer after the leaves have emerged to avoid sap bleeding. Monitor for pests and diseases, and maintain mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.