In September, the landscape is full of contrasts. Many plants are heading to dormancy with blooms spent and in some cases ready to cast about their trove of seeds.
Other plants are just hitting their stride. Goldenrods are changing the topology of beds as they shoot up above their neighbors with masses of small sunny blooms. Late Boneset joins in with its clouds of white blooms. Both are magnets for all types of bees, wasps, lepidoptera, flies, spiders, and true bugs. The blues and purples of asters round out the color palette and expand the feast.
Following the notes below, there are sections of drone imagery, photos of plants and beds, photos of a few garden visitors, then landscape videos.
September Notes
- Terri did a matrix style planting under Tupelos by the patio. The area includes Large-Leaved Aster, Tall Bellflower, Zigzag Spiderwort, Alleghany Sedge, and Path Rush.
- Terri also planted an area in memory of her sister, Jimi. It includes Spikenard, Large-leaved Aster, Wood’s Sedge, Horse Gentian, Zig Zag Goldenrod, and Bottlebrush Grass.
- It feels like we are in another drought-like period. We have had to keep up with water for newer plants.
Drone Imagery
This photo catches the yard between seasons of yellow. August’s rudbeckias have faded out as has most flowering plants in general. September’s goldenrods are just opening up (the patches of yellow in the photo) and asters are not far behind. We have been without rain for a long time so the grass is showing it.
September Photos – Plants
September Photos – Garden Visitors
A sampling… not comprehensive
Lepidoptera (larva)
Lepidoptera (adult)
Dragonflies
Night Noises
Growing Degree Days
“Growing Degree Days are a measurement of the growth and development of plants and insects during the growing season. Development does not occur at this time unless the temperature is above a minimum threshold value (base temperature). The base temperature varies for different organisms. It is determined through research and experimentation.” (The Ohio State Phenology Calendar glossary page) We did a post on phenology last year. Check out the OSU Phenology Calendar to see what is happening in your area!
Landscape Videos
On September 13, 2025 when these videos were made, the growing degree days here was 3,303. For context, the 20 year GDD average for Delaware on this date is 3,023 and in recent years it has been:
- 2024: 3,484
- 2023: 3,044
- 2022: 3,227
- 2021: 3,232
Upper Level (9.13.2025)
Swale (9.13.2025)
Southwest Corner (9.13.2025)
Southeast Corner (9.13.2025)
Videos and photos by Randy Litchfield unless otherwise noted
© Randy Litchfield, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
Catchfly Commons 