Fall is here and winter is on the horizon but we’re still experiencing glorious weather with summer like conditions in zone 4. It has been an amazing record setting fall season that has not only extended the floral blooms but is giving me more time to partake in some of my favorite outdoor activities. From hiking, biking, fishing or just taking a stroll, make sure to take advantage of this magnificent and rare gift from Mother Nature. Enjoy!
When you begin to plan for next season’s blossoms, consider adding Vinca to your garden’s landscape. Vinca is an easy to grow annual flower also known as “periwinkle”. Starting seeds in a partially shaded area of your garden in rich well draining soil will produce 2 inch blooms that are capable of spreading up to 30 inches. Colors include rose, pink, peach, red, white and more. Directly sow seeds in early spring after the last frost for blooms that will last until late fall. Cheers
Winter is rapidly approaching in zone 4 and I have started to prepare for next season by using one of my favorite soil enhancements. Worm castings are an eco-friendly way to add necessary nutrients to your soil. The castings can improve soil structure, aeration and drainage. When mixed with your current soil the castings will provide the beneficial bacteria and microbes to help sustain plant life. The castings are also capable of correcting soil deficiencies, promoting plant hardiness and disease resistance. Cheers
Our featured flower of the month is the Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabillis) and is one of my favorite perennial shade plants to grow. It is hardy in zones 3-9 and produces blooms during the early spring months of May thru June. Its lavish green foliage can reach heights of 24-36 inches. The blooms are rose pink heart shaped blossoms that are suspended on arched stems. To add this plant to your garden’s landscape simply plant in rich well draining soil in the shaded area of your garden. Cheers
Fall has arrived in zone 4 bringing cooler temperatures and changes to plant life.
Blooms remain on some plants but trees are taking nutrients from their leaves triggering fall colors and a rapid departure. Yearly mountain sabbaticals are nearly over as there is a small window for “viewing the Aspen”. The beauty we enjoyed during the spring and summer is coming to a close ushering in new glorious crops like pumpkins and squash. You might see smoke from a chimney, have a limited number of barbecues to attend and soon be invited for comfort foods that may include favorite soups using vegetables from the garden. Cheers!
If you are looking for a perennial plant that will attract butterflies to your garden then plant Scabiosa. It is a sensational flower that resembles a pincushion. Its bushy blooms appear as if suspended from long slender stems. It is an absolute must for pots and small rock gardens. It excels in zones 4-9 and will bloom from spring until fall. I prefer to plant Scabiosa as a border flower in the shaded areas of my garden. Cheers
Affinity with Flowers
