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9/18/2015 0 Comments Fall Container GardeningMums not the only word when it comes to fall color in containers. Refresh tired planters with kale . . . pansies . . . and grasses like this hardy 'Blonde Ambition'. Fall Rudbeckias (Rudbeckia hirta) come in beautiful colors of rust, reds, and yellows. Though not hardy in Wisconsin, many will often reseed the following year. Some favorites we have at the shop are 'Prairie Sun' . . 'Indian Summer' . . . and 'Cherokee Sunset' which is a delightful mix of varieties. Add in an edible like leaf lettuce. Herbs such as rosemary, sage, and thyme bring scent and texture to the composition. Even perennials should make their way into pots before being tucked into the ground for the winter. Coral bells (Heuchera) add shades of amber, chartreuse, and purple. Asters, ferns and sedums are reliable, end-of-season performers. Garnish with a small pumpkin as a finishing touch and embellish the entire arrangement with wispy bittersweet vines or branches with architectural interest.
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9/3/2015 0 Comments How to Use Ornamental GrassesLooking for something easy to care for, low-maintenance with little-to-no insect or disease problems? Hardy ornamental grasses are a no-brainer addition to the landscape. Unassuming in spring and summer, they come into their own in time for a spectacular autumnal show. But which one is right for you? At last count, we have 15 varieties to choose from and that's only a drop in an ocean of grasses out there. Read on to learn a little about a few of our favorites and their use in the landscape. One of our favorites is Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio' (shown above and featured in our Railroad garden here at BGC). It's fine foliage grows 36" in an arching habit. Seed heads mature to white. Intermingle several 'Adagios' with Russian Sage. * This upright clumping grass, Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' (Feather Reed Grass) is one of the earliest flowering grasses. It's biggest problem is that it's overused because we all like it so much! Calamagrostis 'Overdam' is similar yet it's variegated foliage sets it apart (see below). Use with lower mounding perennials like 'Autumn Joy' Sedum. * Front-of-the-Border Grasses 12-24" tall This group of shorter grasses are good for along walkways and front of the border. Pair them with taller perennials like coneflowers (Echinacea), Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia), and Asters. * Middle-of-the-Border Grasses 24"-36" tall * Back-of-the-Border Grasses 48" and taller ![]() 'Red October' Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) has an upright habit up to 6'. Blue-green foliage has red tips that turn burgundy in August, then brilliant red after the first frost. Plant with shorter grasses and shrubs with mounding habits, goldenrod, helenium, and low-growing evergreens. photo source: songsparrow.com |
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