Kniphofia uvaria 'Lola' (Red Hot Poker)

Long-blooming torches of orange and yellow flowers are lighting up the back of the O'Fallon Perennial Walk's entry.

Helenium autumnale 'Helena Rote Töne' Helena Red Shades (Sneezeweed)

Bright red, orange and yellow daisy flowers make this selection a captivating addition to the perennial border, for humans and honeybees.

O'Fallon Perennial Walk (Garden Features)

The O'Fallon Perennial Walk is in full bloom in its 3rd year of growth since being redesigned.

Buddleja 'Grand Cascade' (Butterfly Bush)

The thick bottlebrushes of purple flowers are a dramatic addition to the late summer garden.

Nymphaea 'Foxfire' (Waterlily)

This waterlily is the star of the El Pomar Waterway to end the summer season.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' (Peegee Hydrangea)

The large white flower clusters are eye-catching even from afar, especially on an overcast day where the color really becomes visible.

The Ellipse in honor of Nancy Schotters (Garden Features)

The Ellipse Garden is in full and fragrant bloom in late spring through early summer. A large number of roses, peonies, iris and daylilies can be seen flowering in the area between May and July.

Colorado (Garden Features)

colorful glass sculpture in the Ellipse Garden

Vitex agnus-castus 'Little Madame' (Chastetree)

Pink flowering shrub in late summer

Fountain Beds (Garden Features)

Planted with bright annuals, the Fountain Beds are an area where many dahlias bloom in late summer.

Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart' (Rose Mallow)

Large white flower with bright pink eye on tall shrub

Tricyrtis hirta (Japanese Toad Lily)

Toadlilies in bloom are a sign that autumn and cooler days are coming soon.

Annuals Garden and Pavilion (Garden Features)

The Annuals Garden and Pavilion is a favorite spot in the height of summer. This year's garden has many plants with orange, red, bronze and pink foliage and flowers, giving it a fiery appearance from both near and afar.

The Willow Glade in Celebration of Brandon Mandelbaum (Garden Features)

A waterfall and native plantings create beautiful views into the surrounding gardens.

Gentiana lagodechiana (Lagodekhi Crested Gentian)

These blue-purple bell-shaped flowers are one of many gentians to bloom in the Rock Alpine Garden as we head towards autumn.

Sorbus aucuparia (Mountain Ash)

Bright orange fruit make this tree visible from across the Rock Alpine Garden.

Rock Alpine Garden (Garden Features)

The Rock Alpine Garden has thousands of different plant varieties growing on about one acre. This areas bursts into color in late spring with plants from many steppe and alpine areas around the world. In the late summer and fall it transforms with brightly colored fruit, golden flowers of the aster family, and the brilliant blues only found in gentians. Winter in the Rock Alpine Garden can teach us how shadows impact the temperatures of the environment. Note how snow remains on the southern border areas while melting quickly in the central meadow.

Laura Smith Porter Plains Garden (Garden Features)

The Plains Garden has many early season flowers this month. Many members of the aster family bloom in summer including Liatris.

Rudbeckia laciniata 'Golden Glow' (Golden Glow)

Bright golden flowers bloom starting in August.

Water Gardens (Garden Features)

The Water Gardens are in full bloom with bright waterlilies, Victoria water platters, lotus and other water loving plants. You may even see ducklings relaxing on the water platters.

Heptacodium miconioides (Seven Son Flower of Zhejiang)

This small tree blooms white in late summer and will soon have bright red calyxes that add even more interest for the early autumn garden.

Salvia × jamensis 'Ignition Sunrise' VIBE® (Jame Sage)

One of many late-blooming sages in this area, this one's flowers are bicolor with both bright pink and light peach.

Nexus Garden (Garden Features)

The Nexus Garden has architectural interest yearround. In summer, a mix of Salvia, Penstemon and Sedum bloom.

Cylindropuntia whipplei 'Snow Leopard' (Whipple Cholla)

These upright members of the cactus family almost glow when backlit by the sun in the mornings and late afternoons.

Caesalpinia gilliesii (Bird of Paradise)

Bright red and yellow flowers attract many pollinators late in the season

Beehive (Garden Features)

Look up at the wall near the Conservatory to see the beehives. Can you see honeybees flying in and out?

Chilopsis linearis Lucretia Hamilton™ (Desert Willow)

This small drought-tolerant tree blooms with many pink flowers for many weeks in the summer. It is also a champion tree.

Epilobium canum ssp. garrettii 'PWWG01S' ORANGE CARPET® (Hummingbird Trumpet)

The tubular orange flowers are a favorite of the hummingbirds and bloom until frost.

Roads Water-Smart Garden (Garden Features)

The Roads Water-Smart Garden is beautiful yearround. Summer blooms include Hesperaloe, Epilobium, grasses and members of the aster family.

Vitex agnus-castus Petty Blue 'V0502-33' DAYTONA HEAT™ (Chastetree)

This small late-blooming shrub has blue flowers and palmately compound leaves

Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' (Smoke Tree)

These large shrubs have dark red-purple foliage and plumes of flowers, now turning to fruit, reminiscent of billowing smoke.