| Late Garden Bloomers FAQ |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-405 |
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Q: What flowers will continue to bloom well into the fall? A: (from Jessie Mack Burns, Ask DIY Gardening expert) There are a number of flowers that will provide continuous color in your yard from spring on through summer. Some good choices include the following: - Phlox (figure A)
- Echinacea, or coneflower (figure B)
- Black-Eyed Susan (figure C)
- Salvia (figure D)
- Mallow (figure E)
Q: How does sage perform in the late season?
A: As long as you get a healthy plant from a reputable nursery, there's no reason why sage, or salvia, shouldn't last well into cooler weather. By the way, if you want a sage that's on the tall side, Russian sage (figure F) is a good bet; and for a low variety, try meadow sage (figure G).
Q: Is there anything I can do to flowers I buy in the spring to help them bloom in the fall?
A: Yes, if you keep the dead blooms pinched back, that should help. To pinch back, break off a stem at a set of leaves (figure H) -- this will supply more energy to the plant and promote new growth.
Q: How long can these flowers live in the cooler temperatures?
A: If you use plants that are hardy, they should be able to withstand cooler soil temperatures -- even down to freezing!
Q: What are some plants that are traditionally planted in the fall?
A: Three that come immediately to mind are pansies (figure I), chrysanthemums and ornamental cabbage or kale (figure J). They all provide color well into cool weather. Remember to add fertilizer as you work the soil so that your plants will get adequate nourishment during the cool months, and don't forget to water! Even though the weather may be cool, the plants will still need to take in enough moisture.
RESOURCES :
The Complete Shade Gardener
Model: 0395574269
Author: George Schenk
1991
Houghton Mifflin Co.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-351-5000
Email: tradecustomerservice@hmco.com
Bulbs (The Time-Life Encyclopedia of Gardening)
Model: 0805003525
Author: James Underwood Crockett
Time Life Books
Website: www.timelife.com
Burpee Basics: Bulbs
Model: 0028626370
Author: Douglas C. Green and George Ball, Jr.
1999
Hungry Minds, Inc.
Taylor's Guide to Bulbs
Model: 0395404495
Author: Norman Taylor
1986
Houghton Mifflin Co.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-351-5000
Email: tradecustomerservice@hmco.com
Roses: A Growing Guide for Easy, Colorful Gardens
Model: 0028626362
Author: Mary C. Weaver & George Ball, Jr.
December 1998
Victorian Flower Gardens
Model: 1841880779
Author: Andrew Clayton-Payne
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