Tag: Rudbeckia “Goldsturm”

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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!

Dried astilbe flowers and an allium seed head add autumn drama to this planter with ‘White Nancy’ lamium, ‘Miss Montreal’ begonia, and Japanese painted fern (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

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)

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Autumn “Power” Perennials

Asters, Rudbeckia and Sedum create a long-lasting autumn flower show!

Chrysanthemums are undoubtedly the flowers most people think of when Labor Day weekend rolls around.  They come in a variety of colors and sizes and you can purchase early, mid and late season bloomers to keep the show going for weeks.  Left in their pots they are easily moved around to add late season color where needed; and when combined with pumpkins, cornstalks and gourds, they make splendid fall arrangements for our front entryways.  Although I love chrysanthemums, they have two major drawbacks – they need to be watered religiously to keep them from drooping and, although called “hardy,” they are not reliably perennial here in New England.  So what autumn bloomers meet my criteria for “power” perennials or plants that are drought tolerant, care-free, and perform over a long period of time?

At the top of my list is Sedum, “Autumn Joy,” one of those rare perennial plants that looks beautiful spring, summer and fall.  Because sedums are succulents – plants whose leaves hold water – they require no special treatment other than a sunny site in your garden.  What makes “Autumn Joy” so remarkable is its chameleon personality during the growing season.  It starts out in early spring with rosettes of leaves clustered close to the ground.  Slowly, over the spring and summer, the broccoli-like flower stalks become the focus, changing color from the palest green to soft pink to a deep russet by late fall.  At 12 to 24 inches tall, “Autumn Joy” is the perfect middle-of-the-border plant.

Sedum in summer
Sedum “Autumn Joy” in my late August garden (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Taking up the back of the border are the tall asters which can easily reach three feet tall.  I have two New England asters that have staggered bloom times – one a deep purple that blooms in September and the other a softer purple-pink that blooms into October.  Aster frikartii “Monch” is one of the earliest to bloom in a pleasing periwinkle blue that blends well with its neighbors.  By adding different varieties of asters, you can extend the flowering season until frost.  Taller asters look amazing planted behind sedum which incidentally helps to keep the long stems from falling over – no staking needed!  Though they can be susceptible to downy mildew, I haven’t found that to be a problem, instead finding them quite vigorous and trouble-free.  They can even take a bit of shade but will bloom more abundantly in the sunny border.

Close-up of Aster
Aster frikartii “Monch” (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

The classic Black-Eyed Susan known as “Goldsturm” rounds out my trio of autumn “power” perennials.  Blooming starts here in July and continues through September if plants are deadheaded.  The golden yellow blooms light up the garden like nothing else and last over such a long period of time that they bridge the summer garden into fall.  They are stunning planted en masse and combine well with other late summer and fall bloomers.  “Goldsturm” prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade.

rudbeckia, aster and sedum
Aster “Monch,” Rudbeckia “Goldsturm” and Sedum “Autumn Joy” (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

There are many varieties of these plants available, just find ones that will grow in your hardiness zone and light conditions since we all lose some garden sunlight in the fall.   Remember also to group your autumn plants together for best effect and a dazzling grand finale!

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