Fall Color…. It’s not just for trees!

When you think of fall color your mind’s eye goes to all those glorious trees wearing rusts, yellow, reds, even browns. It signals that fall is here, that temperatures are turning chillier and maybe, just maybe there will be snow on the ground soon.

HOWEVER.... in places like in southern California’s San Gabriel Valley where fall color usually means Pansies, Violas, Snapdragons, Primrose, Stock and Dianthus to name a few. Those are flowers that flourish here in what passes for our fall and winter. We don’t have many trees that “turn” and even then, some won’t if there isn’t enough chill. (Many trees that "turn" do better with chillier temps than we often get. It helps them get their gorgeous color. There are exceptions, such as I may be warmer than my neighbors that are only a mile or two away from me. They may have a "microclimate" causing the chillier air. )

Violas with "faces"

Violas look like mini pansies, typically. They definitely have a little face and come in a variety of colors. I think there are more varieties of violas than pansies. Since they are smaller, reaching only about 6 inches in height, they definitely belong in the front of the bed or at the edge of a pot.   

Snapdragon

Snapdragons can be the soldiers of the flowerbeds. They come in a variety of sizes, from 3 foot tall to the midgets at 8-10 inches. They have multiple flowers on a stem, called a raceme (spike to you and me). Although they are on a spike, the bottom flowers on a raceme open first, with the top opening last. They come in vivid reds, oranges, whites, yellows, and pastels. They can take a while to start flowering but once they start, they put on a great show. Be cautious of overhead watering as they are susceptible to rust. Again, regular watering and fertilizing is best to keep them producing through to spring.

Stock

Stock is a flower that smells a bit sweet, kind of old fashioned to me (I think of a   Grandma's face powder.) They come with gray-green leaves. The flowers are on spikes and come in pastels and deeper colors of pink and purple. While they are wonderfully scented, they can look a little raggedy so I don’t recommend placing them front and center unless you want to spend some time cleaning them up.  

Calendula

Calendula, also known as pot marigold is typically a vibrant yellow or orange and the flower head is fairly large. It is the type used in calendula oils, tea and the flower is edible. I like the smell, kind of earthy but not overwhelming. They do need some deadheading to keep them looking nice, but I think they are worth it.

Dianthus

Dianthus is one that smells lightly of clove and is the annual variety of the one that looks like mini carnations that have that stronger clove smell. The annual variety is green leafed and can actually last longer than winter/spring, depending on its location.The flowers are usually simple petalled and can come in a variety of colors, some in two colors or with a contrasting margin. Deadheading is simple and if you want them to be bushy & prolific, I recommend it. 

Primrose

Primrose are a good choice for color in a more shaded area. They usually carry their flowers just above their leaf structure. They can last well into spring, and if their situation is good, early summer! They come in a variety of colors and are beautiful as a border.

Yellow chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are another fall favorite. Although not technically an annual, the ones you buy from garden centers, home improvement centers and grocery stores aren’t really set up to be a perennial. They have been forced to bloom and unless you want to do a bit of aftercare when their done blooming, you won’t be able to reproduce the effect. I’m not saying it can’t be done, just that they can be a bit needy. They come in a variety of fall colors and look great usually until at least Christmas. In order for them to continue looking good you MUST deadhead. Otherwise they just look sad!

Impatiens

Another favorite annual which depending on where you are can actually be a shade perennial. They are Impatiens. They can be simple flower (5 petals or less usually) or double which look like miniature roses. They come in a variety of colors, and are easy care. They definitely need regular water and fertilizing. You can go through them and dead head, although often it’s not necessary. Depending on how much sun they get, they can get leggy so it is a good idea to pinch them back occasionally to keep them bushier.  They do well in pots and are beautiful en masse.

This blog has been mostly about the southern California climates. For the New England areas and other areas that actually have seasons, many of these can be planted, you need to start in mid-summer so that they can do their thing before the first frost hits.

Now is the time to plant many of the late winter/early spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, crocus, hyacinth. They need the cold of winter to start their process. They can be helped along in the warmer areas by placing them in a paper bag in the refrigerator for about 6 weeks to mimic the winter cold.  If you are in an area that gets an early frost or has actual seasons, they can usually be planted before the first frost to get them to set roots and absorb the cold they need to do their stuff come spring.

Dwarf nandina 

While this blog is more about annual color, don’t forget that trees and shrubs are a good source of perennial color. Some shrubs have foliage that turns color in fall, have interesting seed pods that catch the winter snow and supply food for winter birds and animals. There are some shrubs that have bark that turns a reddish color in winter after losing its leaves.  All these things can add interest and color to your garden, not just flowers.  

Your garden can be interesting all year. It just may be that you are observing it from the warmth of your living room rather than outdoors and that’s okay! From near or far an interesting garden is a good place to let your mind wander and plan for the warmer days!

Happy gardening!

Mary