Unusual Fall Flowers

There's more to fall flowers than just Mums!

 Well, it's happened. The weather forecast for this week includes three frost nights. It's hardly surprising for November but it means the garden flowers are probably toast. I can't complain though. This fall has been glorious for flowers. I don't just mean Mum's and Aster's either. I'm not talking about the bizarre re-blooming of my lilac and the neighbors forsythia either. I mean there have been lots of pretty flowers blooming this fall and YOU can have lovely flowers next year if you try some of these out. 

Perennial Re-bloomers

Many summer perennials will rebloom in the fall if you dead head them thoroughly when they're done the first time. My lavender has been blooming for the last 2 months. Yarrow is another perennial that is still looking lovely outside. Dead heading is crucial though. 

Annuals

This was my first year growing Cup and Saucer Vine and it's thriving. When I planted it, I didn't know it was a fall flower but I don't mind. There are lots of large purple blooms. Marigolds will also to bloom till frost and go so well in an autumn landscape. My husband likes growing Cardinal flower vines on his trellis. They don't bloom till later in the season but still look nice now when his vegetables are all done. 

Zinnias and strawflowers have been blooming continuously since July and they'll keep going till frost. 

Alyssum is a new favorite. Where I live in Central PA, it looks great in Spring, dies back in the heat of summer and then bounds back in the fall. We've had months of blooms from a single pack of seeds. 

Some annuals self seed very readily. My daughters garden has loads of Nasturtiums that volunteered from last year. They look lovely and I've done absolutely nothing to help them along. 

Perennials to wait for

Many shrub roses will continue to bloom till frost.

I love my Trycirtus Flowers. Also, called toad lilies, they won't bloom till October but then they look great all fall. They look like small orchids. 

Many Iris' now come in re-blooming varieties. Mine have been blooming for several weeks. 

So you see, you can have pretty flowers all autumn (or at least till frost). If you want more ideas, go for a walk in your neighborhood and see what looks nice in your neighbors gardens. What's been looking good for you?

In Defense of Goldenrod

 Whew! I was afraid that with a title like that, NO ONE would ever read this post. Thanks for checking it out anyways. Goldenrod, genus Solidaster, plays a vital role in our Pennsylvania ecosystem and I want to encourage everyone to plant some on their property. Yes, on purpose.

First off, I know what you're thinking and NO, goldenrod does not affect your allergies. At least, not any more than any other flower. You see, in nature, goldenrod grows alongside ragweed which is far less conspicuous. So the rag weed, which is wind pollinated, does all the damage while the goldenrod gets all the blame. Don't let your allergies keep you from planting this important flower!

Why is goldenrod so important? In Pennsylvania, over 120 species of butterflies and moths benefit from it either as a food source or a place to lay eggs. So you're automatically supporting a bunch of native pollinators.

Also, all those butterflies laying eggs creates lots of caterpillars. Yes, I know you don't like caterpillars but not all of them are bad. In fact, they provide essential food to our song bird population. In his book, "Nature's Best Hope" Doug Tallamy points out that even se
ed eating birds like chickadees and finches need soft food to feed their young - hence, caterpillars. In fact, they need thousands of them. Planting native flowers, like goldenrod, will provide lots of food for songbirds in your yard. 

Finally, goldenrod also makes a lovely filler flower for fall bouquets. Most florists will have it shipped in from out of state to include in fall arrangements but you can grow your own in your backyard. 

Perhaps you're worried that any goldenrod plants will look like weeds to your neighbors but a thoughtful planting mixed in with other flowers like sunflowers and asters can create a beautiful autumn display. 

I hope this post has gone a long way towards dispelling goldenrods bad reputation. Please do consider buying some plants at a local native flower nursery to support both pollinators and songbirds in your area. 

All About Chrysanthemums

Mums are a lovely addition to any fall display

It's that time of year again, when every grocery store, garden center and hardware place has a display of Mums out front. They come in a lovely variety of Autumn colors - yellow, orange, burgundy and bronze. Perhaps you've purchased one (or more) before or had one gifted to you and you didn't really know what to do with it. Never fear! Here's what you need to know. 

First off, Chrysanthemums, or mums, come in two basic varieties: garden or hardy mums and florist mums. Florist mums are much more sensitive and unless you live way down south, they will die outside in the winter. Generally, if you get a  florist mum, keep it inside, in direct sunlight and don't let the soil dry out. People usually treat them like a temporary houseplant and then toss them when they are done blooming. 

Florist Mum, note the larger blooms. 

Garden, or hardy mums prefer the out of doors. They will do better kept cool. You can buy these plants in a decorative pot for a front porch display or you can buy smaller ones to refresh your annual beds for the fall. Keep in mind, though, that hardy mums are perennials. They will die down to the ground over winter and shoot up new sprouts in the Spring. You can plant your hardy mums into the ground any time during the fall. Mums do best in full sun but otherwise are not too particular. 

When I pick out a mum plant, I want one that is just budding
out like this and isn't in full bloom yet. Then I'll get to enjoy it's
flowers for longer. 

Like all plants, it's really important to keep in mind how big the plant will grow when it matures if you plant it in the ground for future display. The plants in the store are rather small but they can get much larger and year or two from now, so give them space. 

Well, that is it on mums. They are really easy to take care of and just lovely in the fall. Do you have any favorite varieties or growing tips to share? Feel free to comment below!