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The long range forecast is for pleasant October days and cool nights. Take advantage of the weather by getting hardy perennials into the ground that will establish themselves early and show off during the coming spring.
Here's a hand-picked list of Green Team's late season favorites, plus Ernesto's tips for success!
Carefree Color
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'Goldstrum' Black-Eyed Susan (top left) is a longtime favorite that tolerates deer and drought once established, and attracts butterflies! Awarded the perennial plant of the year in 1999, it still holds its own with its sunny, summer-into-autumn blooms. Also available is 'Glitters Like Gold,' a more recent, improved selection of the classic 'Goldstrum.'
'Paint the Town Red' Dianthus (top right) is a brand new offering from Proven Winners. A mat forming perennial just eight inches tall, it shows off with clouds of spice scented, deep magenta flowers in early summer, reblooming in early fall. Deer resistant!
'Double Pardon Me' Daylily (bottom left) is an excellent, compact option for those who like double daylilies. Bred from the classic reblooming 'Pardon Me,' it has the same compact habit and vivid color. New for 2020!
Few perennials bloom as enthusiastically as catmint. Proven Winners has two new introductions in 'Cat's Pajamas' (bottom right) and 'Cat's Meow.' Standing strong without flopping, the cat series sports more vivid color and profuse bloom than previously existing varieties. Blooms from early summer to early fall, and deer will pass it by!
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An exceptionally drought tolerant plant for spots with good drainage, 'Little Spire' Russian Sage (left) is a dwarf selection that fits in any landscape. The brand new, more blue-tinged Proven Winners selection 'Denim and Lace' is slightly larger, at 32"x38".
Shasta Daisy is a bulletproof performer that blooms summer through early fall, attracting butterflies. 'Becky' (middle) stands three feet tall and spreads out into generous, 4' wide drifts topped with snowy flowers. For a more compact display, pick up 'Daisy May,' growing 2' tall and up to 14" wide, or 'Whoops-a-Daisy,' the improved version of 'Snowcap,' which grows just 1.5' tall and up to 2' wide.
If you'd rather admire your oregano than eat it, plant 'Drops of Jupiter' ornamental oregano (right,) a brand new introduction from Proven Winners! Blooming far more generously than the culinary type, with contrasting chartreuse leaves, ornamental oregano is a perfect plant for pollinators.
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Another vividly purple-blue perennial is Salvia. 'Marcus,' 'Caradonna' (pictured left,) and 'Violet Profusion' are attractive, rugged, and reliable bloomers that are favored by pollinators of all kinds, and spurned by deer.
Enjoy multicolored newcomers in the 'Firefly' series from Proven Winners, including 'Firefly Amethyst' and 'Firefly Peach Sky' (top right.) The entire spectrum of yarrows are drought tolerant perennials for sharply drained soil.
Of course, no list of carefree perennials would be complete without the perennial sedums! Capable of surviving even in window boxes and containers, these shallow-rooted succulents come in a spectrum of leaf colors and sizes. 'Cherry Tart' is pictured bottom right.
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Ernesto's Planting Tips
Ernesto grows his plants with love, whether he's working on his home garden or caring for the perennials at Hoerr Nursery. Here are a few tips that he wanted to share for giving your late season plantings the TLC they need to thrive:
1. When you're planting in October, look for plants that are hardy down to climate zone 3 or 4. (We're in zone 5.)
2. From the time that summer starts, use root stimulator on everything you plant. (If you want to pick some up while you're here, you'll find it in the Plant Pharmacy.)
3. Dig the hole wider than it needs to be, and mix the dirt that you dug out with compost before you use it to fill in around the new plant.
4. Most plants do better with mulch for the winter.
5. If it doesn't rain a lot, give your plants a good, long drink before it freezes, and if we get dry weather above freezing for awhile during the winter, water them then, too.
That's it! These plants are generous and carefree, so take them home and get them in the ground!
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Bring your family to Hoerr Nursery to pick out the perfect pumpkin- 50 cents to $5.99! Plus, you'll find gourds, straw bales, cornstalks, autumn annuals, mums and more. Everything you need to celebrate the fall season!
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Join Ethan Wise and Dan Diorio of the Greg and Dan Show for a weekly discussion about all things gardening! Tune in Saturdays at 7am on 1470 WMBD.
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