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nancyk
September 07, 2018
By Beth Ellis - Victoria County Master Gardener
Edited by Charla Borchers Leon
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Native Fall Aster profusely blooms star-like purple flowers into mid-fall and requires minimal moisture once established. It, along with Goldenrod, which can be found along highways as well as growing in home flower beds is shown here in colorful combination. Try these two fall bloomers, separately or together, for a bold statement in a fall landscape setting.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY NANCY KRAMER/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
The Texas Turk's Cap is a native plant and also designated a Texas Superstar. Found in a red, pink, and white, it does well in both sun and shade, and also requires little water once established. Expect it to die back in winter -- and re-appear in spring. It blooms in summer until frost and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies with its upright turban-like blooms forming fruit that attracts birds.
The Ox blood lily is also known as “schoolhouse lily” and “hurricane lily” because its bloom time coincides with times of these benchmark events – the start of fall school classes and at the onset of hurricane season. “It’s a Texas treasure – an heirloom bulb that gets better year after year,” according to renowned Texas gardener Neil Sperry.
Sources for plants described
Oct. 20
VEG Pavilion
8 a.m. to SOLD OUT
Expect more plants for more options
The Gardeners’ Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com, or comment on this column at VictoriaAdvocate.com.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CHARLA BORCHERS LEON/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
The Croton plant with colorful, variegated foliage (Codiaeum variegatum) provides fall color even before the temperatures cool down. Numerous varieties do well in this area in both beds and containers. They can grow quite tall, but do not tolerate cold temperatures. Treat them as annuals if placed in flower beds. If in a container like shown here, it can brighten a back or front door step and be moved for protection from cold weather when needed.
Autumn is a beautiful time in the garden. Enticed by cooler nights, spring bloomers that have suffered through our summer heat revive and start thriving again, while fall bloomers gloriously put on their own lovely show. Not to be outdone, some foliage plants join the celebration by greeting autumn at their colorful best.
The great thing about living in South Texas is that we get to take advantage of our long autumn months to really make our gardens shine. Add the plants listed above to your fall gardening and enjoy beautiful blooms and foliage until – and sometimes after – cold weather arrives.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JEAN KNOWLES/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
Fall color can be created through numerous varieties of coleus with endless hues of color. They grab attention in landscape beds and are fabulous in pots with partial shade as well as some varieties that tolerate more sun. They prefer medium water and regular fertilizer, turn brighter and deeper in color with cooler temperatures, but will not survive freezing conditions. Often their common names are as fun as their foliage print -- like this 'Inky Fingers' variety, which is more compact and suitable for containers.
ph: 361-935-1556
nancyk