The September Edit: What’s Blooming Now

Lisa & Andrew @ Spillian

September in the Hudson Valley means one thing: dahlias take center stage. It’s peak season for the divas of the flower world—dinnerplates, ball, pompons, karmas—all strutting their stuff in every color imaginable.

But the show doesn’t stop there. Sunflowers, lisianthus, and snapdragons are making a second appearance, this time dressed in richer, moodier fall shades. Celosia, Japanese anemone, asters, cosmos, and amaranth keep the party going (check out our July & August edits for all their stats) while fruiting branches like crabapple step in to add that storybook autumn touch. The valley is basically cosplaying as a fairytale right now—we see you, Rip Van Winkle.

September isn’t just about reveling in the bounty—it’s also about getting crafty for the months ahead. While you’re busy canning the last of the veggies, don’t forget it’s prime time to start drying flowers. Gomphrena, thistle, strawflower, and other sturdy summer blooms are ready to be tucked away for winter, giving us bursts of color and beauty to hold onto during the earth’s hibernation season.

Here's what we're seeing, harvesting, and arranging right now:

Dahlias

Photos: Mimosa Boston,  DyuSha BloNd, Unknown, Ireneusz Reszka, Unknown, Awesome Blossom Plants, Buttermilk Floral, Floret Flowers

• Scientific name: Dahlia

• Family: Asteraceae

• Genus: Asterales

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Order: Asterales

Dahlias are a showstopper in any late-summer garden, known for their dazzling range of colors—fiery reds, soft pinks, deep purples, sunny yellows, and crisp whites. What starts as humble single-flowered varieties evolves into the dramatic forms gardeners love: tightly packed pompons, perfectly rounded ball dahlias, and the massive, layered blooms

of dinnerplate types. Varieties like ‘Cafe au Lait’ with its creamy blush tones, or the deep burgundy ‘Arabian Night’, showcase just how diverse and sculptural these blooms can be. Each type brings its own texture and presence, making dahlias a must-grow for anyone who loves bold, evolving beauty.

Crab Apple

Photo: Dianna Jazwinski, Gentlandhyers, A Clothes Horse, Jeffries Nursery, Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum, Noe Kuremoto

• Scientific name: Malus

• Family: Rosaceae

• Genus: Malus

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Order: Rosales

Crab apple trees bring four-season charm, but in the Hudson Valley, their fall fruit steals the show—tiny, jewel-like apples clinging to bare branches long after the leaves drop. These persistent fruits not only feed overwintering birds but also make striking additions to floral arrangements, adding unexpected texture and color.

Branches heavy with red or golden crab apples bring a wild, sculptural element to centerpieces or large vases, especially when paired with autumn leaves or late-season blooms. Their natural curve and contrast give arrangements a sense of movement and place—raw, elegant, and rooted in the region’s landscape.

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As the season winds down, there’s still so much beauty to work with—dahlias holding strong in bold color, crab apples bringing their unexpected charm. These simple, seasonal elements add texture and life to any arrangement. It’s a good reminder to keep things loose, look around, and let the landscape lead. More to come soon.

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Flora Good Times ☀️