13,520 Garden Web Discussions | Perennials
That was nice you took the time to find that info. I have sandy well draining soil, but there are things I can do better, I suppose. I've only had one do well for several years, and it was along the curb. I thought it had to do with warmth, but possibly other requirements were being met in that spot. I'm especially glad to hear yours come back without babying them before winter. Looks like I'll be giving mums another try. Yours are very inspiring!
Assume the spread of native plant seedlings, in the wild, is limited by animal consumers and probably especially by other native plants (latter: re adjacent microclimates).
I do favour the use of sterile plants, but also use many very useful North American perennials which are bee magnets (not least New England aster cultivars, as PM2 indicates).
For me, two summer bee magnets are culver's root and purple loosestrife (only use the latter very carefully).
I realize that wild asters and goldenrod can spread like crazy in gardens, though for me, running rather than seeding seemed to be the main problem.
I do think that many cultivars which have been selected for clump-forming (and against running) work out very well in maintained mixed perennial gardens.
Picture below (set up on October 5, 2013, for a wedding) has the wrinkled-leaf goldenrod 'Fireworks' (on the right), planted in 2006. I've seen no seeding from that cultivar and it's spreading is quite tame. It's very easy to pull up. There's more of it there than I would usually leave because the garden is not maintained that intensively.
I've seen Aster divaricatus growing in wild areas that were pretty much full shade, but I don't have any growing in the gardens. Got lots of Aster cordifolius and love it. It blooms in patches here and there in the shady areas and creates a haze of lavender blooms which the bumblebees love. It is one of the few native plants that grows and blooms well in nearly full shade, directly underneath a Silver maple, and in the middle of the Vinca minor. Very tough! It seeds around, but not so terribly, and I like having more natural gardens, especially in the back yard.
Btw there are species of Goldenrod that are clumping and much less aggressive than the rhizomatous Solidago canadensis. I really like Solidago speciosa, it's a very pretty clumping species (prefers full sun though).
Ech - It may have something to do with other growing conditions. I have well-drained acid fine sandy loam with a lot of added well-composted manure added to the bed. It may not do as well in other soils. I haven't seen photos of your garden, so I also don't know how well this plant fits the style of your garden. It fits well in my rambunctiously casual garden which was planned to have as much year-round foliage interest as possible as well as looking nice from a longer view, so I would grow it regardless of its fall color.
I have to admit that it doesn't always look this spectacular. As long as we don't get an early hard freeze (when it goes from green to gray) it usually turns a lovely gold with orange highlights, more like the shaded plant in the fourth photo than this year's full sun plants. It does take a hard freeze (25 degrees F) to kill it however, so the color will develop through several light frosts in my garden.
Our local university arboretum was selling this species at it's fall plant sale last month. The plants looked really healthy and I was tempted to buy one. However, I hesitated, fearing it to be too aggressive. Having read all the comments here, I am now considering trying it since I live in a cooler zone. which should keep it in check somewhat.
I have several areas in the garden where this plant grows. It breaks ground too late in the Spring for me to offer it on my annual plant sale. In an open winter with no snow cover, I am thrilled when just a bit comes through. I have no problem with it's spread because it is shallow rooted and easy to contain like monardas. Love it for it's late bloom. It looks like the annual ageratum except grows much taller. I have it in part shade and full sun and it does well. Mary
ispahan - I'm happy you mentioned Emperor of China as one of your favorites. I almost ordered it last spring, but went with something else for some reason. I'll put it back on the list for 2014. I also did a Google search for Mei kyo and it looks exquisite. I'm looking to add more colors other than the traditional fall colors and that one would definitely be nice.
I'm always a bit concerned with the really, really late bloomers, but I'm ready to risk it.
Kevin
I know the fuchsia will grow here as I have had them in the past. I just don't know how to make them fit in, I want all the plants to be harmonious in appearance even if they would never be found together in nature.I have very ordinary plants as the "bones" of my garden. Things like Nandina and Pittosporum. Fuchsia looks more tropical to me. I think I will be getting a hybrid as I hear there are a few that tolerate heat better than others.
I was hoping some of you would share photos of your Fuchsia.
Does not look like any sort of disease to me.......much more like a typical end-of-season appearance.
FWIW, container grown plants that receive sometimes uneven watering or fertilization can often develop foliar tip burn or browning. NBD.
Just to make it worse, this is a great site for dwarf conifers with pics and descriptions
Here is a link that might be useful: Coniferkingdom
So you are planning on moving some of them later on. I asked because I would love to squeeze some in like that, but when they're small my perennials will shade them too much. When they grow bigger, I don't have enough room. I can only have a few, so I'll live vicariously through your gardens. Thx for the pics.
I've read that, Ispahan, that Goldenrod is the most popular plant with most pollinators. I have a couple of asters but they were only in bloom for about 10 days, and I don't have goldenrods. I have bought mostly double Mums, which I love the look of, but, I'm going to try to add more Fall plants for pollinators in the spring.
Michael,
I need to know if you are still interested in all or some of the Begonias mentioned in the post at the bottom. Please contact me and/or post again on that thread.
Sorry to post here, but I can't find a way to contact you otherwise.
Here is a link that might be useful: Begonia luxurians post
Ispahan, you make a good point. I will try again in the spring. Ken, thanks for the good wishes. I will keep these plants on my "want" list until I find them. It just surprises me that these particular plants are so hard to come by, at least in this area.
Call the large garden centers in your area.
Ask if they sell Japanese Anemones during the year.
If yes, ask when.
Then ask if they will have the cultivar you want.
If they say "No," ask if they will order for you.
If they say "Yes," ask if they will hold one (or more?) for you.
If they say "No," ask "When will the Japanese Anemones arrive?"
Then be there.
They appear to have good support.
That's good! Thanks for letting us know.