August Garden Planning
You might think that we have lost our minds but…now is the perfect time in the season to begin planning your garden and landscape for next year. Look at your garden. What do you see? Look at the neighborhood landscapes including roadway medians and business landscapes. What do you see? Plus consider this, every day that you walk through the garden or relax on the patio you are making small observations about your flowers and landscape. What is the star of the season? What did not turn out so well? How are the plants growing? What would you like to stay the same? What would you like to change?
Now it is time to critically evaluate your landscape from Container gardens and hanging baskets to perennial beds to shrubs, trees and roses. Then, take a couple of minutes right now to jot down a few notes for next year.
Creek Side August Garden Planning
We are working on the same process here at Creek Side Gardens. All our varieties and flower recipes are reviewed and graded at the end of the season. So now we begin making changes in the plan to improve what we do. One thing we will take a close look at this year is to evaluate each variety for heat tolerance. We have always done this but the weather these last couple of years really put them to the test. We want to offer you only the very best variety in each category so that you will have the greatest opportunity for success.
Late Season Perennial Considerations
The perennial palette is rich with fall colors beginning in August and they really begin showing up all over now! With just a few additions to your garden, you can be enjoying those rich fall tones as well.
Most everybody is familiar with Goldstrum Rudbeckia, the Black-eyed Susan daises. You will see them all around town now. Why? Because they are hardy, dependable, easy to care for perennial plants that reliably bloom in August. Right about the time we are beginning to sense a change in the seasons and in the mood for a little touch of fall. Is it overused? How can a mass of beautiful golden yellow daises be too much!?
Looking for an addition or alternative to Black-eyed Susans? Hardy asters are available in a variety of colors in the blue, pink and white shades and a variety of heights from 8-10” dwarf to 36” tall. Tough, dependable late season color. Another great late season bloomer to consider is Autumn Joy Sedum, with its tall pink flowers on a succulent plant. Perfect late season color for the middle of the garden at 15-20” tall blooming with strong stems that require no staking.
This is a good time to plant in the landscape because the temperatures will be cooling down and there will be less stress put upon the newly planted landscape plants, giving them a better chance to get settled in their new home. And because the soil temperatures are warm, the roots will be stimulated to grow into the surrounding soil. Which is exactly what we want to see so that plant will be well established before it gets cold. All planting now will help us get a head start for next season.
Take a stroll through the Creek Side Perennial Pathway and Woodland Walkway in the nursery to find beautiful Grown Fresh perennials, shrubs and trees for your garden. Have questions? Just let our Green Team staff of gardening experts help you.
