Victoria County Master         Gardener Association



PHOTO COURTESY OF SHUTTERSTOCK

While it is too warm and soon for Chrysanthemums (mums) to be found blooming in garden centers/nurseries, when they do arrive and open with color, they can be found in yellow golds, orange, burgundy, pink, faint purple, off white and brown mixes as shown here.  They are extremely popular later in the fall, and often appear in baskets at garden centers with an abundant ball of color that lasts several weeks often into the early holiday season.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY -- EAST TEXAS GARDENING

Various trees for this area will offer fall color in the landscape, and often, one will provide charm over too many in number or varieties.  This Japanese Maple is a young tree that works well in East Texas and most of South Texas in the heat.  It is a small tree only growing to 10-20 feet tall and will supply beautiful color planted in mixed sun and shade in the ground or in a container for an autumn landscape.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER PHYLLIS ELMORE

Marigolds as shown here are a very versatile flower in golden yellow (or mixed with orange) that enjoy full sun and hot days as bedding or container plants in dry or well-draining moist soil.  They bring color in season transition as well as butterflies, bees, ladybugs and other beneficial insects as they bloom from late spring into the fall.  Seeds germinate within just a few days and bloom in about eight weeks.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER PHYLLIS ELMORE

Croton plants comes in a number of varieties and have foliage like shown here as well as those with curly leaves.  They do well in boasting fall colors and survive mild winter temperatures in this area.  They can be placed in containers or dug up from bedding locations and planted in containers that can be moved for protection.  A tropical plant, the more light it gets, the brighter and richer its colors.  It is a pouplar selection that adds the autumn feel in both warm and cooler temperatures.

AUTUMN-COLORED PLANTS

Bedding/Container plants

• Marigold
• Kalanchoe
• Cockscomb
• Aster
• Coleus
• Copper plant
• Chrysanthemum

Colored Shrubbery

• Autumn sage
• Fall coleus
• Crotons
• Cigar plants
• Nandina

PLANTS WITH BERRIES

• Pyracantha
• Yaupon holly
• Beautyberry
• Nandina

TREES WITH FALL COLOR

• Maple
• Pear
• Chinese pistache
• Soapberry
• Bald cypress
• Bur or red oak

Oh my goodness; it is so hot. Perhaps, you are reading this from Quebec. Perhaps, you own a bubble suit with a personal cooling system. Perhaps you have not ventured out of your home in the last few months. If not, you will most likely agree with me on the overly hot temperatures we are having in the Crossroads. It is hot.

I don’t know what you wear to work. As a health care professional, I am privileged to wear disposable isolation coveralls, hair bonnet, goggles, N-95 face mask, facial shield and gloves.

I usually enjoy warmer weather. However, with my work attire, I am not a fan of a 110-degree heat index. Needless to say, I am ready for cooler temperatures. If I have to drink an iced pumpkin spice coffee, that is fine with me.


Autumn is on its way

If I look at the calendar, I see that autumn is on its way. Albeit, for us it is only two weeks in November, I am OK with that. Fall is still coming. Now that we have heard the good news, we should celebrate in a big way. Woo hoo. Let’s get started.

• Seasonal colors speak

What says fall to you? For me, it is a few things. First, is seasonal colors. Golds, oranges, burgundy and brown all shout autumn. We may not have an abundance of fall foliage, but we can appreciate some of our trees that do change colors. While you may not desire a Chinese tallow tree, you can’t argue with its colorful leaves.

• Richer textures, food feel good

Secondly, for the transition, is a switch from light and gauzy to richer textures like velvet. Cattails will suffice.

Lastly, we can’t leave out the food menu. Forget about snow cones. Apple pies with cinnamon are winning me over.

How do we convert our landscapes to autumn? My caladiums may not die out until later. I am ready for them to go. I am ready for a change. My attention span is lacking.

Ideas from inspiration

Instead of dreaming, let’s get designing. Start with an inspiration.

• Gather vision from what you see

Get out and take a walk. Go for a drive. I trail along after my handsome husband when he runs. I ride my bike. I get to see yards that I admire. Most of the time, the homeowners I envy have a lush yard much of the year.


They are not “one-hit wonders.” Remember, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight?” No one wants to be a “one-hit wonder.” If you see something you like, take a photo of it.

• Ask other owners

If you can’t identify it, ask the homeowner. I have found that even the shyest person will talk at great length about their yards and their children, especially their grandkids. Have I told you about my five beautiful granddaughters?

Move forward

Now that we are inspired, we can get moving. Hopefully, your yard had a good foundation. It may need just a few tweaks to get it in the autumn spirit. If not, start new.

• Trees for fall

There are some trees that we can use for fall specimens. You may want to investigate maple, pear, Chinese pistache, soapberry, bald cypress, bur or red oaks. You don’t need an entire grove of these trees. One may be enough.

• Evergreen and colored shrubbery

In addition, think about shrubbery. Some may be evergreens; others, deciduous. Picture the red berries of the pyracantha. How beautiful are they? Autumn sage, crotons, cigar plants, and nandina can be spectacular also.

• Bedding plant palette

The easiest and most cost-effective way to provide pizzazz is to use bedding plants. These colorful plants can be found in the local nurseries or started from seed.

You can go as wild as you like depending on your budget and homeowners’ association. You can find marigolds, kalanchoes, cockscomb, asters, coleus and copper plants that will satisfy your fall color palette.

• Chrysanthemums for color

Speaking of color, what about mums? Chrysanthemums come in a variety of colors. They are perennials. Unless they are blooming, I will throw them out. I am a huge fan of chrysanthemums for color.

Hopefully, your creativity has been ignited. We may not have a true fall season, but we can use fall-inspired plants. Maybe you can enjoy our extended growing season to make your landscape a showpiece for autumn. No matter what you like, plant it in your yard to make it your own.

I have been told that our Texas weather will be hot and hotter. Until we get our first norther’, I will be inside partaking of the cooler air.

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.