As we slowly head into fall – it is time to
begin transitioning your summer plants to plants that will thrive in the cooler
temperatures.
September is a good time to
transition your flower garden and here are a few examples of what to plant:
Plants grow
well in sunny or partially sunny positions in well-draining soils. They can survive light freezes and short
periods of snow cover, but, in areas with prolonged snow cover, a covering of a
dry winter mulch is recommended. They perform best in zones with moderate
temperatures, and equal amounts of mild rainfall and sunshine. Pansies, for
best growth, are watered thoroughly about once a week, depending on climate and
rainfall. The plant should never be over-watered. To maximize blooming, plant
foods are used about every other week, depending on the type of food used.
Regular deadheading can extend the blooming period.
Use
violets at the front of beds or borders as edging plants, as bedding plants, in containers
and window boxes, in herb gardens, in wild gardens and in rock gardens too.
There is a multitude of forms, many now winter hardy in cold climates, in all
sizes and colors. Cut back straggly stems and deadhead routinely to prolong
blooming. They self-seed freely, but are not invasive. Violets do best in
lightly shaded places in soil that remains moist.
A perennial in the southernmost regions of the U.S., it's a
cool-season annual elsewhere. Plant it a few weeks before your region's last
frost for early fall color, especially in containers.
In
the bed or border, diascia is an airy pick that ties other plants together.
After it blooms in spring, cut it back. It is likely to stop blooming for a
while once summer heat hits. When things cool off, it will rebloom. It has
average water needs, so don't over- or underwater. Fertilize lightly but
regularly.
Petunias are failproof favorites for gardeners everywhere. They
are vigorous growers and prolific bloomers from midspring through late
fall. Some also tout themselves as
"weatherproof," which means that the flowers don't close up when
water is splashed on them.
Wave
petunias have made this plant even more popular. Reaching up to 4 feet long,
it's great as a groundcover or when cascading from window boxes and pots. All
petunias do best and grow more bushy and full if you pinch or cut them back by
one- to two-thirds in midsummer.
For more information about what grows best in
our region, visit the Southern Living Planting Guide.
Happy Planting – and please share your photos
of your fall gardens with us on FaceBook.
