Planting Fall Perennials for Spring Color

by: Jonathan Coffman

Many gardeners think of fall as the time for limited blooming and the time when the excitement of new blooms each day with varied colors textures and shapes appearing from the flowing plants has lessened. At the same time, flower colors tend to move toward the yellow, orange, red end of the spectrum

In order to have fall blooming plants in your gardens, choose flowers which appeal to your sense of color and design, will work well in your planting zone, and require a longer period before blooming. One other factor is important to remember for these autumn season perennials. These plants put the energy into stems, leaves and root systems during the time when other colorful flowers are blooming. Without the cushion of earlier blooming flowers in front of and around the fall-bloomers, the latter can become overly tall and rangy. They may require pruning if they become too unsightly.

Pruning, deadheading, staking, dividing and pest control are all practices which must be practiced religiously in order to have best appearance of your perennial flower beds. Perennial flowers cannot be ‘set and forget’ any more than annuals. A favorite fall blooming flower for many is the aster frikartii. Its clusters of 2 ½ inch single blooms come in lavender darkening to violet blue with yellow centers.

Another way to get color and drama into your fall garden is to look at planting decorative grasses. Some varieties are elegantly quiet during spring and summer months, but blaze into glory when the colder nights of autumn arrive. Examples of grasses to look at are the favorite Pampas Grass. This grass can grow up to ten feet in the air, with late summer or fall blooms of white or pinkish plumes. Eulalia grass (Miscanthus sinensis) grows 5 to 6 feet tall. Its tan seed heads provide the sound of rustling in the air movement.

The best time for gardens is the fall season according to some garden enthusiasts, If you are too busy in the spring and gone or involved in other activities in the summer, it’s only during the autumn season that you can enjoy your garden to its fullest.

Always Green Nursery is a premium supplier of perennials, seeds, and growing supplies to retail and wholesale customers. They can be reached online at http://www.alwaysgreenursery.com/buy-perennials