Top ten fall favorites - Part one

It’s an easy matter to pick a few of these up to add curb appeal to your property or to primp up the patio but you might also want to note some of the other show stoppers blooming over the next few weeks.

In the next two columns I’m going to feature ten of my favorite fall performers.

Aster frikartii can be found in several shades of mauve. This vigorous daisy-type bloomer with the yellow centre grows in clumps that can be divided every few years. Bloom production is spread over an impressive eight-week period. To grow this perennial well, choose a well-drained area. Too much moisture can cause this plant to rot.

Autumn Joy sedum is a perennial that has been grown, divided and shared amongst gardeners for decades. The transgression of bloom - from tightly massed broccoli-like heads, to dusty-pink flowers then rich, bronzy-red seedheads - is interesting to watch. These plants can be divided in early spring when they first begin to show green. Each mound makes many rooted sections and I’ve seen long, attractive hedges featuring this dependable and rugged plant.

Boltonia ‘Snowbank’ is a 4 - 7-foot perennial that produces masses of tiny white or lilac flowers. It’s native to the eastern U.S. and typically occurs in wet prairies, wet meadows, marshes, and along stream and ponds. It’s an excellent plant for the rear of a border.

Chrysanthemums are an all-time favorite in the autumn. Colours range from white, yellow, orange, pink, bronze, purple or lavender. Although mass production has brought these decorating accessories down to where they could be considered a “throw away” purchase after blooming, resist the temptation.

Dig a hole in a spare plot of real estate and once the flowers have finally succumbed in November, ease the rootball out of the container and tuck it into the hole. Mound a mixture of leaves and soil around the edge and lightly on top.

Next spring repot the mum and start fertilizing. In June prune all by half (you can stick the cuttings in dirt and they’ll root). You’ll be able to enjoy the beauty all over again next fall.

Colchicum, also known as Autumn crocus, earns second looks for its similarity to its spring cousins. Another name for these lilac, goblet shaped flowers is ‘naked lady’, hailing from the fact that the flowers emerge from the ground long after the leaves have died back. These corms can be obtained from most companies that sell flower bulbs.

Next week, five more favorites.