We spent most of the month of September in the Seattle area as we awaited the birth of our second grandson and helped our son’s family. We had many opportunities to walk neighborhoods and I paused often to delight in the horticultural wonders of Seattle. Dahlias were on splendid display.

Repeatedly, I asked myself the question, “Can you grow anything in Seattle?” I saw many favorite perennials from my gardening years in New England—ones that like some chill and frown on our warmish SoCal climate.

To my surprise I spotted a matilija poppy, native to Southern California and Baja California, where it grows in dry canyons in chaparral and coastal sage scrub plant communities,

Admittedly, I did not see any succulents though. Apparently, they decline the wet and cool. One front yard made two palm trees the focal point. Really? When there are so many gorgeous flowering trees, Japanese maples and trees aflame with color in the fall, why would you grow palms?

Here are some of my favs from September neighborhood strolls.

Asters and roses.

Autumn crocus and hardy cyclamen

Fuschias and zinnias

Peonies and anemones

And plants even grow in potholes.