43 Alena Jean’s
September 17, 2021
45 Plant Delights Nursery
October 15, 2021
Beautify Your Summer/Fall Gap
I can almost feel it in the air...frigid temperatures. Ahhhh yes! They cannot come quick enough. My wardrobe of t-shirts, shorts and flip flops will not change but—even though I always have natural energy—cool temps definitely put extra pep in my step. So watch out, "he who hibernates because he can’t stand the cold" (yes, YOU, Mike).
While he's inside hugging the fireplace, I'm outside "playing" in the yard without having to listen to him tell me, "You're doing that wrong." He must wonder how I ever make it through a day without him watching over me.
During the days between end of summer and beginning of fall, gardens can look less than appealing unless you plan ahead to beautify that Summer/Fall Gap. Seems people like to put most of their gardening efforts into making only spring and summer beautiful. Oh! Not me! I am outdoors more than indoors and I want to see pretty plants year round. So I plan for every season including the gaps between.
Here are a few pics of what is beautifying my gardens right now during the Gap.
Petunia (pink unknown variety), Petunia ‘Evening Scentsation’ (2017 AAS Flower Winner grown from seed),
Heuchera, Physostegia virginiana ‘Miss Manners’, Coleus.
That container arrangement has seriously been looking so fantastic since June when I put it together for...who? For myself!
Impatiens ‘Infinity White’
Begonia ‘Angel Wing’
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love love love white in the landscape. It lightens up shady spots that already have lots of foliage. It adds a clean crisp look to any garden space.
Gomphrena globosa (Las Vegas Mix)
I bought these Gomphrena seeds from Swallowtail and grew them in winter 2021 thinking I would showcase them in spring. But honestly, clear into June they were still pitiful little things.
Not now!
My lil' gardening friend (you know who...) would call that a "hot mess."
But nah! I call it glorious chaos.
Below is a spot in my garden with ever-changing looks through the seasons. I'd like to think I planned it this way, but it wasn't deliberate. Don't you love it when your garden surprises you with unexpected loveliness?
SPRING: Primula vulgaris (Primrose)
In spring I get to enjoy my primrose which is my...let's say...number-ten favorite plant of all time. My husband calls these old lady flowers. Fine! Call me old fashioned.
SUMMER: Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ (Creeping Jenny)
When summer arrives and the primrose dies back, the blue elephant comes out of hiding to join Creeping Jenny—the ground cover for this area of my garden.
Cobalt blue and chartreuse. Ahhhh, priceless.
The GAP: Colchium autumnale (Autumn Crocus)
Until they pop up, I always forget about the Autumn Crocus. These bulbs are expensive at $5 each, but I have them all through my gardens because I love being surprised in the Gap. And their yearly appearance is pretty much guaranteed because—most importantly—the gophers do not eat them.
In my post, "Container Gardening: Part 2," I feature the container below as seen in spring . Well here it is now, during the Summer/Fall Gap.
CONTAINER: Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii (First Editions Snowberry Galaxy)
I like mixing annuals (the Sweet Potato Vine and Coleus above) with perennials so I can change up the arrangements to look exciting in every season and in-between.
Did you know that, besides this white variety, there is also a Scarlet Pearl Snowberry? I didn't know until I came across it at Westurf Nursery in Modesto. (Unfortunately, it was on the last day of our trip and I had absolutely NO ROOM for it in the car.)
Symphoricarpos ‘Scarlet Pearl’ (Scarlet Pearl Snowberry)
Look closely and you'll see hard water spots on those leaves. This would keep most customers from purchasing, but it wouldn't me. I know how Snowberry can brighten up the Gap as its berries ripen.
Four views of Westurf Nursery
For some reason Westurf was not on our path, but Aunt Patti and I found it nonetheless. This was during an August heat wave and the plants were in dire need of watering—which still baffles me because there were clearly employees able to water while waiting for idiot customers like me and AP who will go nursery waltzing even in 100-degree temps!
Well heat waves be gone, and yipee! The season is changing as I write. Perfect time for you to head out and take note of any unlovely Gap spots in your garden.
If you find one, not to worry. There's nothing a little cooler-weather effort cannot beautify.
Come on! Put some pep in your step!
Photos courtesy Sheri Lynn Burke. All rights reserved.
