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Posted: Sep/07/2009 11:10 AM PST
Anyone else looking at their gardens and finding spots where everything has bloomed and the plants themselves are looking spent? I need some ideas on what to do to keep the beds looking interesting all season long, and although I have wanted to do all perennials, I am coming to the conclusion that I must put in some annuals for year-round color and 'fill'. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have mostly part-sun (meaning mostly shade or filtered sun) beds in my yard and am thinking impatiens - tons of them, or wax begonias, but I do so hate 'traditional' plants... I could always plant some hardy mums, but in my experience they are anything but! (hardy, that is!). |
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Posted: Sep/17/2009 1:16 PM PST
That's why I like my garlic chives. They are just as perky and pretty now as if it were spring. Their white heads are so refreshing this time of year. My turks cap is full of red blooms now and the sasanqua will be blooming soon. Pineapple sage blooms this time of year as well, so there are some things that will brighten up the autumn yard. |
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Posted: Sep/18/2009 7:37 AM PST
Yes, late summer gardens can be very different. Have you tried more fall-blooming perennials? Asters, Mums (prob. not so hardy there, but so what?). By fall even impatiens can begin to look ugly sometimes. Why not work some small evergreens into the mix, so you still have some winter interest? Snow on them can be very pretty. A flat bed in winter isn't very interesting. Any pictures you could put on here? You probably have frost any day now there? I was in W.Mass, and about now you can begin to count on it. Rod |
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Posted: Sep/23/2009 1:38 PM PST
Thanks for the posts - Witt, I don't know what Turks cap or sasanqua are, but I'll look them up. I had thought about mums, but they do die off once in a while - I still have 2 purple ones by the stoop, but the burgundy ones from our wedding 5 years ago are all gone  I am thinking of splitting some sedums to move to various spots - I have liriope which I could split and move - they are almost evergreens!Thanks again for the thoughts! |
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Posted: Nov/04/2009 9:22 PM PST
There certainly are some perennials that come alive in the fall. In addition to the Asters and Mums already mentioned, Black-eyed Susans, Dahlias and taller Sedum put on their best show late in the year. Also, Coneflowers and Menarda blooms typically look good until the first frost. I agree that a few small evergreens can add some form and color later in the year (and into the winter). Some of the smaller Spirea and Weigela, even with the blooms gone, can blend in well. |
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Posted: Nov/05/2009 7:10 AM PST
Wow, I've not had my monarda stay looking good past late summer - I had to cut them all back just so they didn't look ugly! I have added some black-eyed susans so that should be snappy. I also potted some nice mums, will overwinter them, then I can put them on the porch or around the gardens for color. Thanks! |
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