Flowers for the Fall Garden

Fall presents just as many gardening opportunities as spring. The choices are different, of course, because of cultural requirements of fall flowers, but the end results can be just as rewarding. Consider these outstanding recommendations from Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

Asters

Asters, also known as Michaelmas daisies, are a top choice for the fall garden. These easy-to-grow perennials reliably produce an abundance of purple, pink, blue and white flowers that look great in the garden and make excellent cut flowers. A low-growing variety, Aster nova-angliae, New England aster, grows only about 5 inches tall, so it makes a wonderful edging for a bed filled with taller plants. Other fall-blooming varieties can grow to a height of 6 feet and may require staking. Depending on variety, asters are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9. All require full sun and well-drained soil to perform best. Added benefits are that asters attract butterflies and are drought tolerant.

Toad Lily

Toad lilies are under-valued fall bloomers that grow well in shade. Their arching stems produce clusters of orchid-like flowers that may be white, mauve, yellow or variegated, depending on variety. Plants grow to a height of 1 to 3 feet and width of 1 to 2 feet, depending on variety. Perennial toad lilies grow in zones 4 to 9 and are drought tolerant and deer resistant. Asters make attractive companion plants as do Japanese anemones and variegated lilyturf. The common toad lily, Trycyrtis hirta, is a popular choice for the fall garden because of its spectacular blooms, which are white with deep purple speckles.

Russian Sage

Silvery leaves and blue or lavender flowers make Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, a standout in the fall garden as a companion to other colorful blossoms. Since it grows 3 to 5 feet tall, it makes a stunning backdrop for other plants in the border or bed. Leaves are long and slender; flowers cluster along the stems and create an airy look. Both foliage and flowers have a pungent fragrance similar to eucalyptus. Perennial Russian sage is hardy in zones 5 to 9 and blooms from summer through fall. Full sun is best, but this garden stalwart tolerates some shade with no ill effects. Excellent as a cut flower, Russian sage can be dried successfully as well. It is drought resistant and unappealing to deer.

Leadwort

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, or leadwort, is a showy addition to the fall garden. Related to the tropical shrub, plumbago, leadwort is a groundcover that produces bright blue flowers in the late summer and early fall. A display of dazzling orange-red foliage follows. This brilliantly colored perennial is hardy in zones 5 to 9 and grows from 8 to 12 inches tall. It prefers dry sites with full sun or partial shade. One caveat: This plant may become aggressive if it receives too much sunlight. In addition to its uses in beds and borders, leadwort does well in containers.

Continuous Gardening

With a little thought and planning, you can have color in your garden year round. If you have been planting only in the spring and summer, consider starting a fall garden with these and other fall-blooming plants. A visit to your local nursery will show you which selections are best suited to your area. Start with a few perennials this year and add more in the years that follow to create a garden that pleases the eye in any season.

Resource: Better Homes and Gardens Plant Encyclopedia

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map