Here's an article I wrote for Newsletters & More - September 2013 issue!
Autumn Bloomers
As autumn approaches, is your garden losing its color? Have your plants stopped blooming and all you have left is foliage? Consider extending your gardens season by adding fall blooming perennials to your garden bed. For all season color, plant equal amounts of spring, summer, and autumn blooming flowers. There are a variety of choices for available for Calgary gardens – I will outline a few selections to consider.
Autumn Bloomers
As autumn approaches, is your garden losing its color? Have your plants stopped blooming and all you have left is foliage? Consider extending your gardens season by adding fall blooming perennials to your garden bed. For all season color, plant equal amounts of spring, summer, and autumn blooming flowers. There are a variety of choices for available for Calgary gardens – I will outline a few selections to consider.
Sedum X 'Autumn Joy' Sedum X ‘Autumn Joy’
Requires: full sun to part-shade
Size: 24” x 24”
This dense mound of succulent foliage will be covered with deep rose to burgundy broccoli-shaped flower heads open in fall attracting butterflies and bees. This drought-tolerant perennial is a classic favorite that offers all season interest. The flowers are also excellent for cutting.
Requires: full sun to part-shade
Size: 24” x 24”
This dense mound of succulent foliage will be covered with deep rose to burgundy broccoli-shaped flower heads open in fall attracting butterflies and bees. This drought-tolerant perennial is a classic favorite that offers all season interest. The flowers are also excellent for cutting.
Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ (gloriosa daisy)
Requires: full sun
Size: 24” x 24”
Golden yellow daisy-like flowers with dark brown centers, Rudbeckia is a vigorous and dependable plant. This species is a North American native flower. Makes an excellent cut flower and butterflies and bees love it. Cut back in late fall to prepare the plant for winter.
Requires: full sun
Size: 24” x 24”
Golden yellow daisy-like flowers with dark brown centers, Rudbeckia is a vigorous and dependable plant. This species is a North American native flower. Makes an excellent cut flower and butterflies and bees love it. Cut back in late fall to prepare the plant for winter.
Eupatorium maculatum Eupatorium maculatum (Joe-Pye weed)
Requires: full sun to part-shade
Size: 5’ X 3’
A plant for the back of the border, Joe-Pye weed has fragrant rosy colored flower clusters atop burgundy colored stems. Flower heads are about one-foot across and leaves are up to one foot long. As this plant can be leggy, consider planting low growing perennials around the base. Joe-Pye Weed requires moist soil and will attract butterflies.
Requires: full sun to part-shade
Size: 5’ X 3’
A plant for the back of the border, Joe-Pye weed has fragrant rosy colored flower clusters atop burgundy colored stems. Flower heads are about one-foot across and leaves are up to one foot long. As this plant can be leggy, consider planting low growing perennials around the base. Joe-Pye Weed requires moist soil and will attract butterflies.
Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii' Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’ (autumn monkshood)
Requies: full sun to part-shade
Size: 5’ X 2’
A plant for the back of the border, monkshood is a favorite old-fashioned perennial. Tall spikes of deep violet flowers emerge in mid-autumn above dark green glossy foliage. This perennial may require staking and should not be allowed to dry out.
Requies: full sun to part-shade
Size: 5’ X 2’
A plant for the back of the border, monkshood is a favorite old-fashioned perennial. Tall spikes of deep violet flowers emerge in mid-autumn above dark green glossy foliage. This perennial may require staking and should not be allowed to dry out.
Nepeta X racemosa 'Walker's Low' Nepeta X racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’ (catmint)
Requires: full sun
Size: 18” X 18”
For those of you, who love lavender, try catmint. A vigorous grower in the Calgary climate, catmint has wands of lavender blue flowers with fragrant gray-green leaves. This drought-tolerant plant forms relaxed mounds that soften the landscape.
As the season progresses, a new mound of leaves will grow in the center of the plant. Cut back the old growth to enjoy fresh late season blooms.
Requires: full sun
Size: 18” X 18”
For those of you, who love lavender, try catmint. A vigorous grower in the Calgary climate, catmint has wands of lavender blue flowers with fragrant gray-green leaves. This drought-tolerant plant forms relaxed mounds that soften the landscape.
As the season progresses, a new mound of leaves will grow in the center of the plant. Cut back the old growth to enjoy fresh late season blooms.
Echinacea purpurea Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower)
Requires: full sun
Size: 2’ X 3’
Large daisy-like flowers atop sturdy stems, these flowers also attract butterflies and bees. A prairie native, coneflower is drought-tolerant and provides seeds for the birds if left on the plant over the winter months. Also make excellent cut flowers.
Other cultivars are available to provide additional colors in white, cream, yellow, orange, purple, and burgundy
Requires: full sun
Size: 2’ X 3’
Large daisy-like flowers atop sturdy stems, these flowers also attract butterflies and bees. A prairie native, coneflower is drought-tolerant and provides seeds for the birds if left on the plant over the winter months. Also make excellent cut flowers.
Other cultivars are available to provide additional colors in white, cream, yellow, orange, purple, and burgundy
Chelone oblique Chelone oblique (pink turtlehead)
Requires: full sun to part-shade
Size: 24” X 18”
These upright plants have bright pink turtlehead-shaped flowers atop strong stems. A North American native wild-flower, they require moist sites. I know it’s time to water the garden when the leaves start to wilt. They are excellent for cutting and will attract butterflies.
Requires: full sun to part-shade
Size: 24” X 18”
These upright plants have bright pink turtlehead-shaped flowers atop strong stems. A North American native wild-flower, they require moist sites. I know it’s time to water the garden when the leaves start to wilt. They are excellent for cutting and will attract butterflies.
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