Fall is definitely in the air, and with that turn it means many plants may be finishing up for the year. There are also many plants just beginning to put on a show.
This is great since it is also wonderful to have many plant species blooming in the fall when other things are beginning to decline. That being said, when planning a garden it is important to have plants blooming at most times of the year. This is to better attract beneficial wildlife such as pollinators. Like any other animal, it is important to provide a good food source for them at all times, and flowers are the best way to provide that. There are plenty of plants that bloom in the spring and summer. Unfortunately, there are fewer plants that bloom in the fall and winter, but these are still essential. Here is a look at the various plants that are blooming now and how to best grow them.
One of the core concepts of developing a healthy and vibrant garden is to have plenty of wildlife in the garden. We have discussed attracting birds with the use of many native plants that provide a food source, but the best food source will always be the insects that we attract. These insects are also essential to provide many benefits in the garden, from pollination to help controlling many of the pests we want to avoid.
When planning a garden as such, the first step is to have three species in bloom throughout the year. And while Spring and Summer provide a wide variety of blooming plants, the fall blooming species can sometimes be overlooked but are just as important. Having plants blooming now can benefit the aesthetic of the landscape as well as the ecosystem as a whole.
Some of the most common are ones we may see every day. If you notice the yellow flower masses along the sides of many roads, you are seeing one of the many species of the prolific goldenrod (Solidago spp.), which is the state wildflower of South Carolina.
Unfortunately, this is often confused with ragweed, which is also blooming at this time but does not produce the yellow flowers we are seeing. Ragweed is generally wind-pollinated and thus is notorious for producing large amounts of pollen that causes many allergic reactions.
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Goldenrod, on the other hand, prefers insect pollination, so the pollen is heavier and less likely to affect people the same way. This wonderful native is often left out of many landscapes due to proclivity to spread but is one of the best fall bloomers. Another that may be overlooked in the garden is the Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium spp.), which is a tall-growing perennial that loves to grow along roadsides and is a favorite with pollinators. There are some smaller cultivars of this wildflower that are perfect to add to any landscape and that bloom in the early fall.
Fall-blooming wildflowers like goldenrod, Joe-Pye weed, New England aster, and the swamp sunflower pictured here grow tall and provide prolific blooms in a fall garden. Christopher Burtt/Provided
Also blooming now are some of the many fall-blooming asters. The gorgeous, purple New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is a favorite in my own garden. This native herbaceous perennial can grow up to 6 feet tall but is an excellent addition to any landscape.
On the other hand, there is the tall, native perennial the swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius). This ideal wildflower may grow tall and become prolific if allowed, and when in bloom it is understandable why one would grow this in their home garden. It can grow up to 8 feet tall, but if pruned back in the summer, can be kept relatively shorter. The swamp sunflower grows well in areas that are occasionally wet.
Another one perfect for damper areas is the cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis). It does not get as tall but is a favorite amongst hummingbirds due to its bright-red tubular flowers. There is one other native I wanted to mention, a fall blooming perennial in the mint family that many overlook. Georgia savory (Clinopodium georgianum) is a rather rare inclusion in home gardens but is a perfect addition. This drought-tolerant, low-growing plant has fragrant foliage and small, pink flowers. It grows well in pollinator gardens or in herb gardens.
When planning a garden, keep in mind the garden should provide more than just attractive plants, but of course that is the main idea. Also look to provide flowers and food for the wildlife that oftentimes makes the garden feel more alive. There are plenty of other fall-blooming plants to include in the landscape, and it is important to include as many as possible. The best way to attract beneficial wildlife is not only to increase the diversity of the plants growing and blooming, but to make sure there is something blooming for most of the year.
Christopher Burtt is the Urban Horticulture Extension Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator for Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. He can be reached by email at [email protected].