Home & Garden Blog

Logic tells us that fall is harvest time, mostly because if you don’t harvest before the ground freezes then everything you’ve put into the garden, flowers, backyard, etc has been lost to the elements. Maybe the beginning of this summer, you were a little overwhelmed by other responsibilities (bank accounts, credit, bills, family obligations, etc) that you didn’t have time to enjoy the simpler side of life, or even the outdoors. As you look out on your bare garden plot with dismay, don’t lose heart! There are still options for planting for the season, plants and flowers with a quick turn-around life that you can have a fully functioning, flourishing garden come fall. Here are some of your options:

Black-Eyed Susans, Daisies, Forget-Me-Nots, and Viola’s can all be planted as late as 2 months before the first frost in your area, and they will survive in the gradually dropping temperatures until then! You will still want to keep the soil well-ventilated, with constant watering and breaking up of the soil to keep it from getting too hard for the roots to grow. GardenGuides.com provides a whole list of late-summer planting options, plus additional tips and tricks for how to make the most of your gardening in the future. Take a look and find out what’s right for you; if you’re from a warmer climate where the frost is extremely late (or rarely, if ever) kicks in, then there are plenty more options for you too!

House plants are a whole different option. Of course, the most important thing you can provide your plant with is extensive, natural lighting. Aloe plants or palms are my favorite for kitchen and living room decor. Apparently, Cacti and Peace Lilies absorb EMF emissions from computers or electronic devices–maybe healthy to put in the computer or television room?

Good luck and happy planting! You can still make things grow, even if it’s not your bank account.

Shop Smarter.com for plants & seeds.

Well now that the yawning mouth of hell is finally closing, otherwise known as the recent heatwave that has tormented Southern Californians, it dawned on me that I should stop and look at the bright side. Stop and smell the roses per say, or in this case, stop and smell the perennials.

So I did a little search to find flowers that blossom in the Fall and I came across the following article from iVillage. In the article they list 7 of the best fall perennials to plant.

Here are the top 7 courtesy of iVillage:

1. Ceratostigma: This fall beauty has brilliant clusters of blooms. It makes great ground cover with shiny dark green leaves that turn red during late fall. Does well in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.

2. Cimicifuga: This species does well in a moist, shady to partial shady location with fertile, humus-rich soil. Certain species (ramose Atropurpurea) has very divided leaves that are mahogany and purple stemmed with very slender, candle-like creamy white flowers.

3. Coreopsis: This is a perennial that never stops giving. It is best known for its petite yellow flowers on wiry stems that keep on blooming throughout the summer and into the fall. But with the addition of a deep burgundy red species Limerock Beauty and Sweet Dreams (it’s white with raspberry eyes), this sturdy little perennial that thrives in full sun or partial shade in well drained soil can now be utilized in a variety of fall gardens.

4. Perovskia (Russian Sage): This fantastic woody-based plant is classified as an herb, but its striking gray foliage and lavender blue to gray-blue flowers make it a gorgeous summer and fall perennial. Will thrive in poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun. Beautiful planted en masse in a mixed border.

5. Sedum (Stonecrop): This is one of the all-time great fall perennials. This is a genus of about 400 species of succulents and does well in full sun in moderately fertile, neutral soil. Several of the sedums are used as ground cover and have fleshy, light green leaves with star shaped, five-petaled flowers that come in white, yellow and pinkish to burgundy tone. Sedum Autumn Joy looks stupendous when combined with a purple-toned aster.

6. Japanese Anemone: These bloom from late summer through mid-fall and are chosen for their delicate-petaled faces ranging in color from white to soft pink, and from deep pink to dark rose. They thrive in moist but well drained, humus-rich soil in sun to partial shade.

7. Aster (Michaelmas Daisy, New England Aster): A large group of perennials that can be grown in a variety of sites. The fall blooming asters are utilized as a border for the mass of color they offer. Whether you choose white, lavender blue, bright pink, purple with a yellow eye, or a medium blue, when purchased in large quantities and planted in sweeps, asters are synonymous with the autumn garden.

I am partial to the Ceratostigmas, the Asters, and the Russian Sage. Plus as it turns out late summer/early fall is the ideal time to plant flowers that will blossom in the cold season. I don’t know how your summer is going, but I can’t wait for Fall!

To purchase seeds and get garden design ideas click here.