Hi GPODers!
Here in New England, fall is in full swing. The trees are ablaze with the reds, oranges, and yellows of the season and some plants are shedding flowers to showcase stunning seed heads. Though summer bloomers are fading, there are a wealth of fall flowers that can take up the mantle and provide colorful blooms as cooler temperatures set in and the growing season winds down. A garden putting on a particularly fabulous late summer to early fall display is that of Kathy Lilac in Pennsylvania:
My name is Kathy Lilac. With a name like that I have to love flowers! I live in eastern Pennsylvania and have always loved plants and flowers since I was a teenager. Taking a stroll through my yard in the morning gives me great joy. I plant what I like. Nothing formal or organized but it suits me. My husband helps by building trellises and he also does some hardscaping. Attached are pictures I took this morning in my yard anenomes, dahlias, toad lilies, clematis and a morning glory.
Japanese anemone is a favorite for bringing a little splash of spring delicateness to late season gardens. This stunning white variety—my guess ‘Honorine Jobert’ Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’, Zones 4–8)—is a crisp, bright accent to the warm-colored foliage that comes alive this season.
You can’t talk late summer and early fall flowers without mentioning dahlias. Coming in so many vastly different sizes, forms, and colors, there really is a dahlia that belongs in everyone’s late season garden. The curling petals of ‘Honka Red’ dahlia (Dahlia ‘Honka Red’, Zones 8–11 or as an annual) gives the flower a fascinating look.
Personally, dahlias particularly shine in their many pink iterations. From the deepest, richest magentas to pretty pastels and peaches, dahlias really run the gamut. These big blooms appear to be ‘Onesta’ or waterlily dahlia (Dahlia ‘Onesta’, Zones 8–11 or as an annual), which really reveal their similarity to waterlilies when cut and arranged to float in a bowl of water.
Of course, so many pink dahlias sport a multitude of colors that create a dramatic, firework-like effect. A decent number of dahlias come in this pink-to-white gradient, so it’s hard to ID exactly which variety this one is. Any guesses? And Kathy, if you remember the variety please let us know in the comments!
Another pretty pink bloom, ‘Duchess of Albany’ clematis (Clematis texensis ‘Duchess of Albany’, Zones 4–8) starts blooming in July, but keeps on performing deep into fall.
Another delicate bloom on a much smaller scale than the Japanese anemone above, toad lilies are sensational in a fall shade garden. This dainty lavender/pink variety appears to be ‘Tojen’ toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta ‘Tojen’, Zones 5–8), which has elegant, orchid-like petals.
Another gorgeous toad lily, this one sporting spectacular purple spots. Hairy toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta, Zones 4–9), like most other toad lilies, grow singly or in small clusters. Kathy has an incredible successions of blooms on this little plant.
When all else fails, a classic annual brings big color. ‘Heavenly Blue’ morning glory (Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue’, annual) blooms continuously from early summer straight through to early fall. Aside from self-seeing very easily, and becoming weedy if not properly controlled, morning glories will ensure long stretches of outrageous color in your garden.
Thank you so much for sharing these fabulous flowers with us, Kathy! It’s always refreshing to see a more floral side to the end of the growing season.
Is your garden full of fall flowers? Or maybe you are devoted to dramatic foliage? Or fall is when you start winding down the outdoor garden and give some much-needed attention to indoor plants. We’re itching to see what you have growing this fall. Share your photos by following the directions below.
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