BEYOND CHRYSANTHEMUMS
Fall garden interest beyond mums & pollinator-friendly autumn gardening practices
Fall Garden recommendations from Anni
To mum or not to mum… that is the question
Mums are not well-adapted to North American ecosystems
The proved very little nectar or pollen for native insects
Mums are often disposable & discarded after their blooms fade, though they are technically perennial plants
Asters!
Perennial
Like full sun
Give last fertilizer in August
Pinch thru mid-July for denser, stable habit and more blooms
Provide late-season nectar which is so important for pollinators heading into winter
an Anni favorite: Snow flurry aster
Aster ericoides ‘Snow Flurry’ or the white heath aster
A low sea of white buzzing with pollinators into November- it is glorious!
GOLDENROD
Solidago, Asteraceae family
Perennial
Likes full sun
Prefers lean soil
Adapts to dry, xeric conditions
Shorter variety/ 1-2’ Sphacelata
Taller variety Caesia/Odora for drier conditions
Rugosa for wetter conditions
Pinch thru mid-July
fall-blooming WindFlower
Japanese Anemone
Perennial
Likes part shade to shade
Tolerates alkaline soil
Adapts to dry and moist condition
Colors of purple, pink, and white
Blooms late summer thru late fall
autumn crocus; meadow saffron
Colchicum autumnale
Perennial bulbs
Likes partial-full sun
Prefers rich, well-drained soil
Low-moderate water
8” tall
ANNUAL FLOWERS FOR autumn interest!
pollinator-friendly autumn gardening practices
