The Secret to a Vibrant Fall Garden to the New Year
by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener
Autumn is a special time in the garden. The harsh sun of summer has softened, the air is crisp, and the leaves on our native trees are beginning to change. It is a season of harvest and a final burst of floral color before the winter chill sets in. For many gardeners, this is the time to start winding down. Knowledgeable gardeners see it's the perfect time to get plants into the ground.
Fall plantings are substantial for your garden since the warm soil encourages root growth until the ground freezes in January. The roots are well established for a robust early spring plant that will take off next year. This is an ideal time to add autumn color to your landscape.
Here are my top ten fall flowers to keep your garden blooming through Autumn. All are available for planting at Watters Garden Center.
Top 10 Fall Flowers
1. Asters (Symphyotrichum) are the superstars of the fall perennial garden, providing a burst of vivid daisy-like flowers. They come in shades of pink, purple, and white with bright gold centers. Asters are rugged and reliable, and their showy blooms last until the first hard frost. To keep them tidy, cut the plants back to the ground after they have finished blooming in November.
2. Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelephium) is a low-maintenance succulent that thrives in our mountain climate. It forms a dense clump of fleshy leaves, and in late summer, it sends up large heads of tiny flowers that start pink and gradually darken to a rich, coppery red. This plant provides fantastic late-season color and is a magnet for bees and butterflies.
3. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) is a perennial with a long blooming season; the Blanket Flower starts in late spring and continues right through fall. Its bright, daisy-like flowers are a mix of red, yellow, and orange. They are adamant, deer-proof, heat-tolerant, and perfect for dry, sunny locations. Don't be afraid to cut back spent flowers to encourage even more blooms.
4. Mums (Chrysanthemums) Nothing says fall like a pot of chrysanthemums. These are the quintessential autumn flowers, and they come in every color imaginable. When you are buying mums, choose a plant that isn't in full bloom yet. This will help it acclimate to its new home and provide you with a longer show. Every color of Autumn is completely javalina and rabbit-resistant.
5. Pot Marigold (Calendula) has a cheery, daisy-like appearance in shades of yellow and orange. They are an excellent choice for adding a splash of color to a fall container garden or as a border plant. Regular pinching of old flowers will keep them blooming continuously until a hard frost.
6. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a workhorse plant for any sunny, dry garden. It features lacy, silvery foliage and produces tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers from midsummer through fall. It looks great planted in masses and adds a hazy, soft color to a landscape. Cut it back hard in March to promote fresh growth next spring.
7. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum) are tough enough to handle our colder months and return with a stunning fall show. They get their name from their unique, dragon-shaped blooms. They come in a wide range of colors and are perfect for adding vertical interest to your garden.
8. Violets (Viola) provide a welcome dose of color when many other flowers have faded. Many varieties will struggle in our hot summers but rebound with a strong flush of blooms in the cool of fall. They are perfect for tucking into rock walls or as a front-of-the-border plant.
9. Ornamental Kale & Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) are a must-have for a fall and winter garden. Their stunning, leafy rosettes come in shades of green, white, pink, and purple, providing a vibrant splash of color that intensifies as the weather cools. They are perfect for containers or mass plantings and will hold their color all winter long.
https://wattersgardencenter.com/collections/top-10-iris
10. Bearded Iris are best planted right now. This is a critical window because it gives the plant a chance to establish a robust root system before the ground chills or freezes. A newly planted iris needs this time to get its roots settled in the soil so it can survive the winter and put all its energy into blooming come spring. Ordering premium Iris now at Top10Iris.com ensures you get field-fresh rhizomes at the perfect time for planting. If you find a rare color, order one for a friend. They ship nationwide for $7.95.
Bonus Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) are a popular choice for fall and winter gardens. Pansies have a wide variety of colors and patterns, including some with unique "faces" in the center. They are remarkably cold-hardy and will often keep blooming through light frosts and even snow, providing consistent color until spring.
Ken's Tips for a Gorgeous Fall Garden
· Enrich the Soil: Before you plant, enrich the garden's soil. For container and raised bed gardens, mix in Watters Potting Soil for better drainage and nutrients.
· Fertilize: When planting, use my slow-release 7-4-4 All Purpose Plant Food. This provides the nutrients your plants need to establish a strong root system.
· Water Well: After planting, water your new flowers with Watters Root & Grow. This liquid rooting hormone reduces transplant shock and helps your plants establish themselves quickly, resulting in more blooms throughout the season.
Watters Garden Center has a fresh stock of all these fall-friendly plants, and the best time to plant is now. The cooler weather is perfect for getting them in the ground, allowing them to settle in and provide a burst of color for the season.
Every Saturday @ Watters Garden Center
Join us every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM for our free garden classes, right here at Watters Garden Center on Iron Springs Road in Prescott. September is packed with valuable insights to help your garden thrive!
September 20 @ 9:30 - Fast Plants for Secret Garden Privacy
September 27 @ 9:30 am – Stunning Autumn Containers Everyone Notices
October 4 @ 9:30 am – The Complete Fall Garden Checklist
Come learn something new and connect with fellow gardeners!
Until next week, I'll be helping gardeners with stunning fall flowers here at Watters Garden Center.
