The month of September was very productive in the greenhouse.
Next year’s peonies are planted. All the perennial houses have been recovered with new plastic. We have weed fabric installed between all the perennial greenhouses. Pot washing is on track.
We are shifting into end of the season mode which means we are cleaning, sanitizing, organizing, and thinking about when to start cutting back perennials. But that isn’t what I want to talk about today. I want to talk about the plants that I have been enjoying this summer and fall.
Let’s start with the annuals. When I chose my annuals this year, I picked pentas, lantana and verbena boanariensis hoping to bring in butterflies and hummingbirds.
Only one hummingbird visited this summer, but he really enjoyed them. Hopefully, he remembers me and comes back next year!
My favorite fall flowers are my asters and sedum.
Butterflies love the asters and the longer I have my Lemonjade Sedum, the more I enjoy it. It looks kind of plain and blah until you see it at dusk. The flowers glow in the evening light. It is such a neat plant. The lack of bright color doesn’t deter the bees at all. They love it too.
Overall, this was my super star performer: Pretty Pink Mandevilla.
It has bloomed and bloomed all season long and it is still going strong. I am definitely planting this one again next year.
Of course, flowers aren’t everything. In the shade garden, foliage is the star.
Ferns, heuchera, Solomon’s Seal, and polka dot plant, no flowers and still beautiful!
Now is the time to write down your favorite plants and take pictures so you will have a record of what you enjoyed and might possibly want to plant again. With the notes you make now you can plan and dream about next year’s garden.
Written by Cathy Maxson
Cathy Maxson is Sargent's Gardens Perennial Growing manager. In addition to making sure Sargent's grown plants thrive, she enjoys growing in her own garden, canning fruits and vegetables, traveling, and walking her dogs.
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