Flower Gardening

Perennial Planting in the Fall Season

By Marianne Binetti

Asters (Michaelmas Daisy): 

These long-lived perennials are perfect for middle of the border displays and dependable fall color. Asters have daisy-like flowers that bloom in shades of blue, lavender and purple. They combine well with the rich colors of fall. Grow asters in a sunny spot with evenly moist soil. The variety Aster ‘Alert’ has vibrant carmine purple blooms on plants that are more compact – perfect for fall container gardens.

Tip: Asters are descended from native wild flowers and do not need rich soil or a lot of fertilizer. Avoid wetting the foliage with overhead watering to keep the leaves free of disease. Divide aster clumps every three to four years in the spring or fall replanting only the outer clumps of the mother plant.

Chrysanthemums (Mums): 

The traditional flower of the autumn season; mums the word for a variety of color and flower shapes. You can purchase potted mums at the end of summer to replace your summer-weary annuals growing in containers. Once the blooming season is over, transplant the perennial mum plants into the ground. They will be more likely to survive the winter and provide more blooms in the years to come.

Tip: In June prune back the new growth on your mum plants to one half their height. This will ensure that the plants have compact and sturdy stems to support the fall flowers.

Ornamental Cabbage and Kale: 

Big, bold foliage with ruffled edges make these plants show stoppers in container gardens and garden beds. Cabbage and kale will do best in partly shaded areas and cool climates. If you live in a hot summer climate unless you wait until October and plant once the cooler autumn weather arrives. The colorful heads of ruffled leaves look best when viewed from above or when displayed on a hillside or slope. Combine the rounded shape of these foliage plants with upright bloomers like mums and asters for outstanding fall color displays.

Tip: Protect cabbage and kale from slugs and snails to avoid the look of lacey leaves.

Winter Pansies: 

Fall will really resemble a second spring if you add the cold-tolerant pansy varieties to your garden. A cool spot with moist soil is best for pansies and violas and summer container gardens that need a fall facelift can be revitalized by adding some winter pansies to the mix. Winter pansies will often survive mild winters to flower again in early spring. Landscapers that add a fall planting of tulips or daffodils will plant a display of winter pansies on top of the bulb installation for instant fall color and as a spring backdrop for the blooming bulbs.

Tip: Deadhead or remove the faded pansy blooms to keep these plants in almost continuous bloom.

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