Tag: perennials

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Fall Gardening Advice

Grab your spades and shovels, gardeners.

Like it or not the fall planting season is upon us. A bit of preparation now will yield big results next year, so don’t be short-sighted and put off these recommended activities.

Gorgeous foxgloves are biennials
Gorgeous foxgloves (biennials) burst forth in spring

For fall color. Unfortunately, if you haven’t been nursing your annuals along they are likely past their glory. There are a few—notably chrysanthemums and pansies—that like cooler weather and reward the grower with abundant fall color.  But the vast majority of summer annuals are pretty much played out by this time each year. (You may coax some additional blossoms from healthy plants by pruning them heavily now). Continue reading “Fall Gardening Advice”

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Hydrangeas in Bloom

It’s Hydrangea time in the Midwest.  Hydrangeas are a lovely perennial with either beautiful blue or pink flowers.  There are also white varieties.  Hydrangea leaves tend to burn in the hot sun, and they are lovers of moisture, so place the young shrubs in a semi-shady location that gets plenty of moisture. Like many perennials, their blooming period is short—just a few weeks—but they are quite showy and little trouble to grow.  Hydrangeas are one of the few plants whose blossoms can be made to change color, depending on the pH level of the soil.  (There are entire web sites devoted to them where you can find more information if you wish to change the color of yours).

Note the sun-damaged blossoms at top
Note the sun-damaged blossoms at top

We’ve had a wet spring this year, and the Hydrangeas around here are simply stunning. Note that the pH in the soil of these two plants must be mixed, for there are blossoms of both blue and pink.

Mature Hydrangeas at an old farm house in Ky.
Mature Hydrangeas at an old farm house in Ky.

© Wade Kingston