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ABOUT FALL BLOOMING PERENNIALS |
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| The harbingers of autumn, fall perennials add new color, unusual foliage and fresh
fragrance to gardens that would otherwise be preparing for the dormant season of cool days
and frosty nights. Fall perennials not only lengthen a garden’s life, but they
continue to surprise the gardener as the blooms emerge year after year. Perennial Garden Preparation Midwest gardeners have a great variety of herbaceous perennials available to them, ready for planting in late August and September. Fall perennials, like spring and summer-blooming perennials, require careful selection and proper maintenance to ensure a successful autumn of color. Since perennials will remain in the same area for years, be sure to prepare the soil properly. Ensure soils are rich and well drained. Most plant problems occur in areas with poor drainage. A raised bed is often the answer. A layer of organic matter such as grass clippings or leaves will help to loosen and enrich soil in areas of heavy clay or dense soil. Plan ahead. Browse through flower catalogs or the aisles of the garden center to get ideas and inspiration. Lay out gardens allowing for differences in plants’ height, width, color and flowering period. Group perennials by height and color. Position tall perennials at the back of the garden and smaller varieties in the front. Perennial Care Fall perennials generally are hardy plants that can survive some neglect. They are persistent and can fare surprisingly well on their own. However, to reach their full potential a little regular attention will provide the gardener with an abundance of blooming flowers. Perennials should be mulched year round. Mulch keeps soil moist, full of organic matter and helps to prevent weeds. Good mulches include grass clippings, leaf mold and compost. Keep mulch approximately two inches from stem bases. Staking taller perennials will protect them against falling over in wind and rain. Plastic poles and wire rings can be used for this purpose. Use branches, twigs or bamboo rods. Remove flowers after they bloom but before they seed. This fosters re-flowering in perennials, driving the plant’s energy back into the roots and encouraging it to produce new growth. After the first "killing" frost, cut perennials back to eight to ten inches and cover with mulch to protect soil from low temperatures. Good winter mulches include leaves and evergreen branches - try using branches from a discarded Christmas tree. Apply mulch after the ground freezes to stop rodents from making their home in the mulch. When spring arrives, remove the layer of mulch. The bed should be sprayed with a general-purpose granular fertilizer. Good mixtures include 10-10-10 or 5-5-5. Follow manufacturer’s instructions when applying fertilizer. We recommend Glorious Gardens Perennial Food. Fall perennials are usually in stores by August. Check with stores for more details and to confirm availability. See Fall Blooming Perennials for plant suggestions suitable for Chicagoland. |
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| Pasquesi Home and Gardens is Chicagoland's
premier resource for gardeners wanting to create a perfect atmosphere. We have a vast
selection of plants, many of them rare and unusual. Our qualified, professional staff is
ever-willing to share their knowledge with customers needing advice. Pasquesi Home and Gardens is a complete resource for gardening, home and pet supplies. There are hundreds of beautiful accents for the home and out-of-doors, and Pasquesi Home and Gardens has an unrivaled collection of containers for indoors and outdoors in many different styles, materials and shapes. Both stores carry a wide range of quality garden tools and outdoor furniture. |
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