It’s that time of year again when summer loosens its grip, the cool breeze of seasonal change subtly blows in, and the luscious summer gardens start to wane.
This can be a sad time for gardeners, but the good news is, it’s not time to stop gardening! (Is it ever, really?)
While it is certainly irresistible to plant throughout spring and summer, fall is an ideal time to get perennials in the ground for next year’s garden. With our seasonal climate, the heat of summer might be leaving, but the soil will remain warm enough to promote healthy root growth. In fact, 80% of a plant’s root growth happens in the late summer/fall. So, while you won’t see much above ground growth before the plant goes dormant in winter, you can rest assured knowing that all the action is happening below ground.
With a strong root system established, your perennials will be ready for vigorous growth come spring. Better yet, you won’t have any transplant shock in your spring garden – just well-established, resilient beauties.
In addition to having strong plants next year, fall planting also has the benefit of using less water given the days are so much cooler. Another perk, fall brings fewer weeds and pests! We must also remember that while the gardens are starting to show signs of seasons change, there are still magnificent late season bloomers to brighten up any fall garden.
A few of our favorites at the Arboretum:
Maximilian Sunflower, Helianthus maximiliani, is just now starting to bud here at the Arb and will be towering over our garden beds with its golden yellow sunflower blooms well into October.
Hoary Tansyaster, Dieteria canescens (previously Machaeranthera canescens) is a delightful purple aster that pops up just as summer is starting to end and blooms throughout September, letting us know that fall is just around the corner.
White Prairie Aster, Symphyotrichum falcatum, brightens up any shady spot in the garden with its abundance of small white flowers blooming well into October. This native perennial will also thrive in full sun.
There are so many others, like Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) that grace our meadows with such beauty even as they go to seed and become dry stalks throughout October.
While summer is leaving us for now, there is plenty of plant life to admire in the high elevation gardens of the Colorado Plateau.
Gina Goegan is the Greenhouse Manager at The Arboretum at Flagstaff.
