The arrival of fall inevitably brings the challenges of maintaining a healthy and colorful garden. Now is the time for some strategic planting. Plants that have the ability to withstand low light conditions and chilly nights will reward your efforts with dazzling color throughout the cooler months. Here are two plants to try this fall.
• Majestic Giants Pansies. When other plants begin to lose their luster, the pansy is there to save the day. Pansies thrive in cool fall temperatures. They’re known as a “cool season annual,” and they can bloom from fall into spring.
Majestic Giants are the #1 selling pansy in North America. Constant genetic improvements make this garden favorite a great choice for fall planting. Majestic Giants are not daylight sensitive, meaning that they’ll bloom consistently on the short days of winter with low light conditions. Majestic Giants provide great color this fall, and in most cases, they’ll come back in the spring! The compact plants feature large blooms, and the new color options like the magisterial Deep Blue, or the warm pinks and yellows of Sherry, will surely liven up any flower box or garden border.
“Majestic Giants have been a favorite flower for more than 35 years,” said David Jewell, Southern Area Manger, Sakata Seed America. “The extra large, long lasting blooms mean you’ll be able to enjoy your gardening efforts for an extended period of time.”
• Splendid Viola. Violas are another wonderful addition to the fall landscape because of their brilliant, lasting color. Splendid Violas are unique in that they spread up to one foot in diameter. Color choices include white, yellow or a blue and yellow mix. This viola variety adds a splash of color to flower beds or in hanging baskets.
Tips for keeping your pansies and violas happy and healthy:
• Choose plants that are not too “leggy” and that have dark green leaves. Make sure that the roots are not bound. Yellow leaves may be a sign of root rot.
• Make sure the soil is moist and cool. If you find the soil to be too dry, put a couple of inches of organic mulch around the plants. This will keep in a little extra water and keep weeds from sprouting.
• Plant when the soil temperature is between 45 and 65 degrees. Warmer initial soil temperature can make the plants more susceptible to frost later on.
• Deadhead. Removing old blooms will keep your garden looking neat and encourage new blooms.
— Kathleen Hennessy
(Kathleen Hennessy is an avid gardener and weekend home-improver. She has been writing about home and garden topics for more than 10 years, and currently serves as the content manager for yardcare.com.)
