The Online Garden Gossip
September 2007/Issue #16

Fall-blooming asters provide autumn delights

Asters come in a variety of blues, pinks, and purples, and as they begin to bloom in early fall, most gardeners breathe a sigh of relief that there's a gorgeous flower in their garden that is hardy, colorful, and ready to go to work right when we're all about to faint in our phlox.

Some varieties to consider:

'Purple Dome' -- dark purple flowers form an attractive mound.

'Blue Wood Aster' -- prefers a semi-shady location.

'Thyra Viking' -- hot pink!

Why we love fall planting

Many people think of fall as the end of their gardening season, but for perennials, shrubs, and trees, fall is an idea time to plant.  Why?

 

1.  Maximum root growth
The key to healthy plants are healthy roots.  During the fall, as a plant prepares for its winter dormancy, leaf and flower production slow down, which allows a plant to focus its energy on root development.  Even as the foliage shuts down and dies back, root growth still occurs.

2.  Less watering
As you know from this past St. Louis summer, it's a serious commitment to keeping a garden well watered.  As fall nears and plants start shutting down for winter, they'll not only require less water to thrive, but also the cooler temperatures will make it less of a life-and-death situation, as it's been this summer.

3. Less stress on plants and gardeners
Sometimes the heat of summer is simply too much, even with proper irrigation and supplemental watering.  Multiple days at or near the 100 degree mark can over- stress some plants, and there will be casualties.  The cooler fall evenings and more temperate day temperatures mean that fall-planted flowers and shrubs have a better chance at getting established.

Upcoming talks at Sugar Creek
You're invited, and they're free!

“Window Boxes and Containers for Fall and Winter,” Sat., Sept. 15, 10 a.m., Tina Paletta, Garden Designer and Horticulturist.  Enliven your window boxes and plant containers with the festive foliage and plants of the season.  Learn how to use an exciting variety of plants for great color and texture that will last from fall through the holiday season and beyond. 

“The Garden in Autumn,” Sat., Sept 22, 10 a.m., Peggy Hoelting, Horticulturist.  As the days grow shorter you still can have wonderful displays of color with the ever-expanding list of fall blooming plants.  Learn about the perennials that boast exceptional fall flowers and bright foliage. 

“Spread the Wealth: Propagating Perennials,” Sat., Sept. 29, 10 a.m., Roxanne Cronin, Horticulturist.  This class takes you through the basics of plant division, along with other techniques of perennial propagation.

Karen's gardening calendar

Karen Collins, a longtime Sugar Creek employee, has identified things you can tackle in your garden this month:

• Keep spraying roses to control disease.  Deep watering once a week is also necessary.  Do not feed, however, so the plants can start to harden off for winter protection.
• All plants that have finished flowering should be cut back heavily.  Plants that have become overgrown may be divided now so they will reset new roots before cold weather sets in.
• Peonies are best divided this month.  Do not set peony roots too deep.  They should have no more than one inch of soil over the top, otherwise flowering may not occur.
• Acid-loving plants such as holly, azaleas, and rhododendrons should be well-watered until cold weather sets in.  If foliage is yellowing, it could mean that iron is tied up.  Apply Espoma Sulfur and Epsom Plus now to improve color by spring.
• Fall is an idea time to establish groundcovers.  Use in shaded areas, steep slopes, or just to reduce the size of your lawn.  Liriope, lily-of-the-valley, low growing junipers, perennial geraniums, and azaleas are a few recommended plants. Consider adding spring bulbs for additional color.
• Herbs such as parsley, rosemary, chives, thyme, and marjoram can be dug from the garden and placed in pots for growing indoors this winter. 
• Begin preparing houseplants for the indoors.  Prune back rampant growth.  Check for pests and treat if necessary with insecticidal soap.  Houseplants should be brought inside at least one month before heat is turned on.
• Spring-blooming perennials can be divided now.  Enrich soil with Cotton Burr compost before replanting.

Unusual
plant of the month
Callicarpa dichotoma
Beautyberry

If you're looking for a shrub that will rejuvenate your tired garden or perennial border, then beautyberry is it.  During spring and summer, it's an unassuming 2-3 foot tall and wide green shrub that provides a nice backdrop for other flowers in any sunny or partly shaded location.  But in August, this little sleeper develops tiny purple flowers that grow into gorgeous, traffic-stopping purple berries.  Cuttings are perfect for fall arrangements. 

Plants bloom on new wood and behave like a herbaceous perennial, so each spring you cut shrubs back to about 6 inches.  Only $24.99 for a 2 gallon specimen at Sugar Creek.

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