09/01/2026
September Bouquets
When putting together a September birthday bouquet, it would be remiss to ignore asters and morning glories. Both are considered September birth flowers and symbolize love and care. Their vibrant colors are a welcome sight in the garden as summer fades and fall approaches.
Asters are members of the daisy family, along with dahlias, marigolds, and sunflowers. In Greek, “aster” means star and accurately describes the thin white, yellow, pink, purple, red, or blue petals radiating from a white or yellow center.
Asters are herbaceous perennial flowers that bloom late in the season. There are numerous species that range from six inches to seven feet tall, many of which are native. In addition, there are many cultivars that perform well in the Midwest. They are a haven for bees and butterflies, and the plants will buzz with pollinators.
While mums are considered the quintessential fall flower and greenhouses stock and sell them by the dozens, asters certainly deserve a second look. They are easy to grow and, once established, will remain a workhorse in the landscape for years. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Since they are fall-blooming flowers, they can get somewhat leggy, and the lower foliage can look rough by the end of the season. This is easily remedied by planting something shorter around them that will hide this tendency.
Instead of purchasing a mum every fall and then composting it at the end of the season, consider planting asters, which spread readily. They often need to be divided every couple of years. This allows for more perennials to be shared with gardening friends.
Common morning glories (Ipomoea sp.), native to Mexico and Central America, are fast-growing vines with flowers that open in the morning and close by afternoon. The flowers are trumpet-shaped, with five large petals around the flower head. Most commonly, they are purple and blue, but they are also available in pink, white, and shades of red. Their shape makes them particularly appealing to hummingbirds and butterflies. One caution, however, is that the vines and flowers of morning glories are toxic. Therefore, be cautious about planting them in the vicinity of children and animals.
Morning glories will grow well in full sun and well-drained soil. They are also suitable for growing in containers. In either case, they will need something to climb, such as a trellis or fence, because they can vine up to 15 feet, depending on the species. Wait until the soil warms before planting for the best results. This is an annual flower and will not tolerate frost. However, morning glories readily self-seed, so do not be surprised if they reappear in subsequent years in the same location.
Morning glories are sometimes confused with perennial bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). However, bindweed is a perennial and spreads through underground roots, moving along grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation. It is incredibly difficult to control. The leaves and flowers of the two plants are different. Bindweed leaves are arrow-shaped and smaller than the large, heart-shaped leaves of morning glories. Bindweed flowers are white or pink and about one inch across, while morning glory flowers are two to six inches across and come in various colors.
Fall gardens can be a thing of beauty, and these two flowers are staples for extending the season until frost.
Happy gardening
Carol Shirk
Certified Master Gardener
