JUST five autumn plants are on an expert’s shortlist to boost spirits and create a burst of color for fall.
And best of all, they are easy to grow – and cheap.
Don’t put off your autumn planting for too long, say experts[/caption]
Colourful ‘mum’ plants during the autumn season bring a welcome dash of color[/caption]
And don’t forget to plant herbs, including basil, above[/caption]
Dallas Stubbs, garden manager at Clay 30A in Seagrove Beach, Florida, reckons the five top plants are:
- Garden mums
- Marigolds
- Ornamental peppers
- Basil
- Parsley
The term “garden mums” refers to chrysanthemums, also called “mums” for short.
Fall is a “great time to garden,” he told NBC-affiliate WJHG-TV.
Stubbs said, “Plants love the cooler weather, they are kind of waking up.
“Garden mums are super popular for the time leading up to Halloween.
“Marigolds, crotons, salvias, cosmos, and herbs all withstand the cooler temperatures we withstand here.”
He described parsley and basil as “super-easy to grow” along with mint, thyme, oregano and rosemary.
Stubbs said they only need “watering when they start to wilt – it’s not rocket science.
“The best thing you can do to keep them growing is to use them!
“Trim them, use them in the kitchen, use them in like potpourri, and they just continue to grow.
“They are pretty self-sufficient.”
Planting chrysanthemums and keeping them looking their best isn’t hard, according to House Beautiful.
These “mums” are hardy blooms offer fresh color and interest to garden beds and containers for autumn.
Plus they are sold in a wide range of colors including bright yellow, pink and burgundy.
Another bonus is that chrysanthemums are cheap to buy, the site added.
PERENNIALS
Don’t forget though, that despite cooler temperatures, your plants still need water.
Hardy perennials, trees and shrubs in colder regions actually require extra water in early autumn to help them prepare for – and successfully emerge from – dormancy, advised the Associated Press.
The news wire service suggested alternative plants for autumn, including pansies for a dash of fall color in cooler areas.
“They’ll die down over winter but return to bloom again next spring,” said the AP.
EGGPLANTS
However, those gardening in the southernmost parts of the U.S., like South Texas and Florida, could still plant another round of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.
The service suggested that green thumbs experiencing freezing temperatures in cooler zones could start planting bulbs that withstand winter.
This means hardy ones like tulips, muscari, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, and snowdrops.
In the South, consider amaryllis, caladiums, calla lilies, cannas, daffodils, dahlias, elephant ears, gladiolus and tuberous begonias.
A stunning close-up photo of an orange marigold flower[/caption]
Parsley is another favorite herb of gardening expert Dallas Stubbs – and easy to grow in Autumn[/caption]
