Q: You mentioned a while back that you were creating a flowering hedge. I would love to know what plants you picked? MF, Co Leitrim
10.09.2023 - 05:15 / finegardening.com
Many plants have something to offer as the growing season winds down, but to truly take advantage of the best of fall, one should grow the three pillars of the autumn garden.
The first pillar of the autumn garden is ornamental grass. During this third season of the garden, masses and mounds of these plants explode into bloom and set a framework for everything else still strong enough to be standing. The second pillar is the aster. Regardless of what divisions they have been split into—Aster, Symphiotrichum, Eurybia (Zones 4–8)—all asters stand equal to ornamental grasses in autumnal impact, if not in height. The third pillar is the upright sedum, now given its own classification apart from its low-growing cousins, Hylotelephium (Zones 3–9).
All three pillars play a subordinate, almost invisible role throughout spring and summer, often being merely the plant next to the one that is blooming. But the wait is worth it.
So many plants shine in -autumn, a season full of color and interest that rivals—and in some ways surpasses—spring and summer. Start by exploring the great diversity among asters, grasses, and sedums, then keep looking. Here are some ideas to get you started.
(Pennisetum alopecuroides and cvs., Zones 5–9)
(Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’, Zones 5–9)
(Aster ×frikartii ‘Monch’, Zones 5–10)
(Cotinus ‘Grace’, Zones 5–9)
(Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Andenken an Alma Pötschke’, Zones 4–8)
(Hydrangea quercifolia, Zones 5–9)
(Viburnum ‘Oneida’, Zones 5–8)
(Hylotelephium telephium ‘Postman’s Pride’, Zones 3–9)
(Colchicum ‘Waterlily’, Zones 4–7)
(Amsonia hubrichtii, Zones 5–8)
Q: You mentioned a while back that you were creating a flowering hedge. I would love to know what plants you picked? MF, Co Leitrim
Check out some of the most stunningFall Flowers for Containers that will help you to make a beautiful autumn landscape full of vivid colors!
As September comes to an end, it is important to recognize that this month is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. In the past 30 years, obesity rates have tripled among youth in the United States. There are many factors that contribute to obesity in children, including genetics, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits, and other lifestyle factors. Being obese at a young age increases the risk of developing chronic diseases in adulthood. Some of those diseases include high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Fortunately, simple lifestyle changes can go a long way in helping your child maintain a healthy weight now and throughout their life.
We have compiled below the best air purifying Plants for the Home Office You Can Grow in Water! They are low-maintenance and fuss-free varieties, apt for busy gardeners.
Collaborative post
Fall brings out my desire to “bring the outdoors in.” Collecting berries, seedpods, and dried flowers is a passion I share with many gardeners. Using these to display in the house helps us to remember the beautiful days of summer. Harvesting these things gives a feeling of satisfaction of what we, as gardeners, have grown over the season. But there are a surprising number of fabulous fall plants that we don’t usually see growing here in the Pacific Northwest. One shrub that I rarely see in gardens here is winterberry (Ilex verticillata and cvs., Zones 3–9).
While our gardens are always changing, we certainly put a lot of pressure on our plants to perform and look good, particularly the perennials. The wide range of soils and weather in the Midwest is certainly a factor, as our plants continue to be exposed to challenging growing conditions. Experimentation is not unusual as we explore plants that are new to us, but having some go-to selections with a very high chance of success makes sense for our gratification (and our finances). While no plant is truly a “slam dunk,” I’ve run across some that have always done well for me and have proven themselves over many years in myriad garden situations. Below are eight such perennials for both sun and shade.
Fall Garden Border with ‘Nicholas’ Dahlia Autumn doesn't mean color has to call it quits in your garden! Use mums, dahlias, sedum, salvia and switchgrass to make a splash when temperatures start to cool off. Grow flowers that pop with fall color
We have all heard the saying “Fall is for Planting,” but this adage does not hold true for all plants. Autumn is an excellent time to establish many trees, shrubs, and perennials, thanks to cooler temperatures and more frequent rains. These conditions put less stress on plants as they establish their root systems. Yet despite these advantages, not all plants benefit from fall planting. As the autumn weather draws you back into the garden it’s important to consider which plants you should never plant in fall.
Those stubborn cracks and gaps in your garden pathway, walls, or rocky outcrops look really bad with dirt and muck accumulating in them. What if we told you that these challenging spaces are actually opportunities for a unique garden aesthetic? Prepare to unlock a new dimension in gardening as we reveal the perfect Plants for Cracks and Crevices to turn these so-called ‘problem areas’ into miniature gardens brimming with charm and character!
From the eye-popping vibrancy of Texas sage to the understated elegance of Forsythia, these shrubs offer an explosion of color, fragrance, and texture that’s tailor-made for the Lone Star State’s unique climate and soil conditions. Ready to elevate your outdoor space to a new level of enchantment? Then buckle up, as we guide you through an all-star lineup of Texas Flowering Shrubs that promise year-round splendor and endless conversation starters for your garden gatherings!
As the nights begin to draw in and summer's heat fades fast, we may spend less time in our gardens and mourn the departure of the sun. But for me, fall is absolutely my favorite time of the year. Though the days are shortening rapidly and the summer garden may be fading fast, there is a lot to love about a garden in this season.