– Scott LaFleur, Horticulture and Botanic Garden Director 

There is nothing like fall in the garden. The cooler temps and drier air make it the perfect time to plant. I love to add bursts of color at Garden in the Woods using the best of our fall natives such as asters, turtlehead, coralbells, black-eyed Susans, and goldenrods. Don’t forget these plants also make lovely container subjects that you can add to the garden at the end of the container season. Here at Garden in the Woods, we filled the big planters near the BIG BUGS ladybug sculpture with the deep-hued foliage of Viola labradorica (Labrador violet) spilling over the sides. The whirling butterfly-like flowers of Gaura hover over the lemon yellow Rudbeckia hirta ‘Irish eyes’ (black-eyed Susan), creating a dynamic visual display.

We invite you to join us at Garden in the Woods for all the inspiration of the autumn season. Bursting with many native asters and lobelia, view the fall glory of the Idea Garden and the first fall at the Green Roof display.

Check out bees and butterflies at the late-season Meadow as they enjoy the bounty of seeds and flowers. Listen for meadow grasses rustling in the cool autumn breezes and come for an early evening walk to enjoy the backlight of a setting sun on the airy panicles. As you walk into the second half of the garden don’t forget to stop to see some hidden gems such as the Cranberry Bog with Spiranthes odorata (lady’s tresses) in bloom alongside the Gentiana andrewsii (fringe-tip closed gentian). A quick walk through our newly-renovated pitcher plant display will bring you to the Western Garden where the Sorgastrum nutans (Indian grass) steals the show. Chill out with Symphyotricum oolentangiense (sky blue aster) and Salvia azurea var grandiflora (blue salvia) both displaying their cool blue colors in a supporting role.

The last but certainly not least is my all time favorite blazing star—the Liatris scariosa nova-angliae the only new England native blazing star. Easy to grow, it is rare and endangered not because of any fussy cultural needs, but because its favorite habitat is being over-developed and lost. A beautiful plant that reminds us all of the Society’s important mission of keeping our flora alive and well in the habitats they love.