Where do people get this silly idea that hardly anything blooms in autumn? I gave my colchicum presentation this week and one attendee remarked that I inspired her to have color in her fall garden. There’s plenty of color in my fall garden, without even looking at the trees. Here’s just a sampling of what I see as I stroll around.
As more buds opened and the stems got top heavy, it has started to flop. The floppiness is why I’m supposed to pinch the stems back before July 4th, but I’m afraid it will delay bloom on an already pretty late bloomer. I guess I should pinch some stems and leave the others to see how much it really does delay flowering. Fire Light® flowers open white and gradually deepen in color. When I opened my garden to the public for colchicum viewing last year, many people asked me the name of this hydrangea. It’s the same species as ‘Pee Gee’ hydrangea, but with a lot more bang for your buck. And it’s hardy to USDA Zone 3, people! I grew this from seed and placed it to contrast with the ‘Grape Expectations’ heuchera and the ‘Glory of Heemstede’ colchicum. Gardeners in warmer climates complain that this seeds everywhere and becomes a nuisance. I’m wondering how many of the seeds will germinate with frost due to come this week. I have read that the roots can be dug and stored over winter like dahlias, and I’m planning to try that this year, as well as collect some seed. I got some starts from a friend, who didn’t know which monkshood it was. It took so long to start blooming that I wondered if it had died on me. Nope, it’s just getting started. I’ve been growing this for several years now, and it will bloom into November. The flowers can get knocked back by a hard freeze, but then more flowers open with the next warm spell. I’ve dug it up and given it to friends whose growing season lasts longer. But it grows back from every small piece of root, so I still have it, and this year I’m glad of it. It’s really pretty and we haven’t had frost yet. ‘The Giant’ colchicum draws your eye to this bed, where Little Quick Fire® hydrangea, a sample plant from Proven Winners, glows up above, and golden feverfew zings up the corner.More inspiration for a great autumn garden
These are some of my posts from previous autumns. They feature other great plants for fall.
- The Last of the Hardiest
- Good Fall is Here
- October’s Bounty
- Frost is not the End
- Autumn Blooms
- Unusual Plants for the Autumn Garden
- Garden Color in Dreary November
Inspired by the words of Elizabeth Lawrence, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year,” Carol of May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from all over the world publish what is currently blooming in their gardens. Check it out at May Dreams Gardens.
The stone wall really sets off the line of cholchiums. They look like a pink froth bubbling up at the base of that wall. Happy GBBD.
I love the ‘Ruby Mound’ chrysanthemum. I haven’t been able to find any hardy varieties that look that pretty! Thanks for sharing where you got it from!
Gorgeous garden! The asters are so pretty.
You aren’t kidding about your colchicums making a statement! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful! Happy Garden Bloggers’ Day!
Beautiful Kathy! Sheffield Pink is my favorite Mum!
So here’s a question for you: Where do you source your mums? All we ever get around here are the ones sold in fall that aren’t hard. Its very hard to find varieties for sale in the spring. Do you grow them from seed? Online plant ordering? Thanks!
Hi, Cortney. I got the Ruby Mound from Bluestone Perennials. The Sheffield Pink was a passalong from a friend, but I’ve seen it sold online in several places. I haven’t ordered from them yet, but Mums of Minnesota was recommended by a friend. You’re probably aware that Minnesota is mostly USDA Zone 4 and colder, and they only sell mums that will grow there, so they’re certainly cold hardy.
I love the Fire Light hydrangea. Stunning color!