Fall Perennials – NANCY WITH THE LAUGHING FACE

September 25, 2022September 28, 2022

Fall Garden Chores Simplified

Fall is prime gardening time so take advantage of these golden days to beautify your space, tackle some outdoor chores and get a head start on next year!

REFRESH SUMMER FLOWER POTS that are looking tired. Gently pull out any spent plants and replace with fresh annuals or perennials. Some cold tolerant varieties include Lamium, Pansies, Violas, Asters, Heucheras, Grasses, Ornamental Kale and Cabbages, as well as classic Chrysanthemums.

BRING IN ANY TENDER PLANTS you intend to keep over the winter. Summer houseplant vacation time is over, so make sure you bring your babies back inside now before evening temperatures start dipping into the 30’s. If you intend to save corms or tubers such as Caladiums, Cannas, Gladiolas or Dahlias, make preparations to store them properly over the winter so that you can enjoy them again next year.

CLEAN UP YOUR FLOWER BEDS by pulling up dying annuals and cutting back any dry and withered perennial leaves or flower stalks. Be sure to leave some seedheads for the birds and winter interest! It’s surprising how some minimal tidying up in the garden right now will refresh and revitalize the space and carry it through until that final killing frost.

LIFT, DIVIDE AND TRANSPLANT any overgrown perennials or add a few new ones. The moderate temperatures and reliable rainfall of autumn help plants get quickly established before winter sets in, giving perennials a vigorous head start on growth next year!

PLANT FLOWER BULBS now for early spring color. The list of bulbs available for fall planting is vast so narrow it down to your favorites while also keeping bulb-snacking critters in mind. Some dependable bulbs that naturally repel voles, mice, chipmunks and squirrels include Snowdrops, Siberian Squill, Snow Glories, Hyacinth, Daffodils and Alliums.

SPREAD COMPOST around your plants to nourish and protect both new and established gardens. Adding nutrient-rich compost will greatly improve the quality of your soil and help retain moisture during dry summers. Good quality bagged compost is available at any garden center or start your own pile now: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting

CELEBRATE THE SEASON and be sure to give thanks for another bountiful gardening year!

All photos by Nancy Marie Allen except where noted

September 2, 2019January 22, 2020

Sweet September

“Ah, Sweet September, where summer softly lingers and autumn patiently awaits its turn . . .”

‘Little Lime’ hydrangea turning pink (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

September is one of my favorite gardening months! As temperatures begin to cool and rainfall becomes more consistent, it’s the perfect time for planting. Whether you’re working with an existing garden or starting a new one, the following tips will help.

This ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum will soon be joined by the blooms of purple asters (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

CLEAN UP

By late summer, after weeks of intense heat and only sporadic rain, our spring and summer perennials can look a little worn out. Taking some time now to clean up these plants can give your garden a rejuvenated look for fall. I like to move through each garden area and deadhead spent blooms, cut back brown stems and remove tattered leaves. Daylilies are the perfect example of plants that immediately look better after such attention. While you’re at it, pull out any persistent weeds or diseased foliage and dispose of them away from the garden. Don’t compost the debris for you’ll only be spreading disease and weed seeds!

Early September blooms (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

EVALUATE

Now that your garden has been cleaned up, take a good look at what’s remaining. Are there some plants you would like to have more of? Would a certain plant perform better in another area, with more or less sunlight? Are there spaces where you can tuck in a few spring or summer bulbs? Is there something blooming in your neighborhood that catches your eye? Maybe you’d like to add some new fall perennials or shrubs to extend your gardening season. Whatever you want to accomplish in the garden, September is the perfect month to get it all done!

‘Coral Cove’ rose (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

PLAN

I know this is easier said than done, but a little planning in the fall goes a long way come spring. Dream a little, seek inspiration and ask yourself these questions: How much time do you want to spend gardening? What garden style appeals to you? Do you like the look of romantic cottage gardens or lean more towards native plantings and low-maintenance xeriscaping? Do you love the blooms of early spring bulbs? If so, order now for optimum planting time later this month and into October. When looking for new plants, be sure to check on-line for those that thrive in your hardiness zone, soil type and light conditions. The decisions you make now will help create a garden you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ adds autumn color with its burgundy seed pods (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

PLANT

Any planting is best done on a mild cloudy day and before expected rainfall. This is good for the gardener as well as the plants! Now is the time to divide large clumps of perennials and relocate or share the extras. This is a great way to enlarge your garden using what you already have and love! Maybe you want to splurge on that new hydrangea or add asters, sedums and Montauk daisies for more fall color. Many garden centers and websites have late season sales going on right now so take advantage. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with an even more magnificent garden next year!

CELEBRATE

For instant gardening gratification, how about having some fun redoing your planters? Reuse plants that are still performing well and replace those that are looking ragged. Check with your local garden center for plants that are cold hardy and don’t be afraid to mix annuals with perennials or even small evergreens. Add pumpkins, cornstalks, seed pods and gourds around your freshened pots for even more seasonal drama. It’s time to enjoy and celebrate Sweet September!

Potted hosta lancifolia blooms in September (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links to the companies listed below. When you click through on a link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank You!

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August 3, 2019January 23, 2020

Exploring Anemones

If you’re looking for a plant that will take you easily from summer into fall, you may want to consider exploring anemones.

Bees love anemones (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Many years ago, at the local garden club plant sale, I purchased my first anemone. It was anemone “Robustissima” and, as the name implies, this once small and innocent-looking plant soon became a huge presence in my late summer garden. Indeed, left to its own devices, “Robustissima” can easily take over a garden bed, so I’ve learned to hack it back every spring in order to keep it in bounds. In spite of its vigorous nature and large size, growing over time to a height and width of 40 inches, the pink to mauve blooms have a most delicate appearance and blend especially well with my other late summer bloomers such as coneflowers and black-eyed Susans.

anemone 1 — Anemones play well with other late summer bloomers (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Planted in a spot underneath our family room window, my original “Robustissima” receives even moisture, morning sun and afternoon shade, perfect conditions for anemones. Serendipitously, as the plant sends up its tall flower stalks, the flowers can easily be seen from inside the house, a thrill I enjoy all through August and September. The long bloom period even lasts well into fall along with sedums and asters.

Tall anemone “Robustissima” can be seen from the window (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

There are many different types of anemones with a bloom range from early spring to fall. Also known as windflowers, because the long-stalked flowers sway in the breeze, they add care-free charm to any garden. My earliest blooming anemone, the Grecian windflower or anemone blanda, lights up the garden in spring. Anemone sylvestris or snowdrop windflower blooms here in May and tends to freely spread itself around; however, it’s far too lovely to ever be called a nuisance and volunteers are always welcome!

Windflowers and Lady's Mantle — In early spring, cheerful Grecian Windflowers brighten the garden edge (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Late summer and early fall bring their own spectacular anemone varieties in colors that range from pure white to purple. You may even recognize some by name. Reaching 36 inches tall, robust “Richard Ahrens” has soft pink flowers which begin blooming in July and continue through September. “Honorine Jobert” is a silky white-flowered heirloom dating back to the 1850s which also grows quite tall and blooms from mid-summer to fall. “September Charm” blooms into October and is a slightly shorter pretty-in-pink variety dating back to the early 1930s , while another late-bloomer, “Bressingham Glow,” has deeper rose-pink blooms.

AnemoneHJ-flowers2 wimastergardener.org — The lovely lady, “Honorine Jobert” (Photo courtesy wimastergardener.com)

Some facts about late-blooming anemones:

Anemones grow best in hardiness zones 4 to 8
They prefer afternoon shade but will tolerate full sun given adequate moisture
They are well suited to woodland and old-fashioned cottage gardens
Their colors complement other late-summer to fall bloomers
Most are vigorous and care-free
They make great companions for fall shrubs or other large plants such as hydrangeas, cimicifuga, goldenrod and ornamental grasses
Anemones attract pollinators
Deer and rabbit resistant, disease and pest resistant, salt tolerant

Anemone “Robustissima” in early August (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

For an in-depth look at fall-blooming anemones including specific plant variety characteristics, overall performance and bloom periods, click on the link below:

https://www.chicagobotanic.org/downloads/planteval_notes/no25_anemones.pdf