Monday, September 28, 2009

First Fall blooms

This year we decided to invest in year-round color in our corner garden.  For the most part, we really just had reliable color in the Spring, with our tulip, daffodil and crocus bulbs.  So we bought several Summer blooming perennials (Gaillardias) and also a couple of late-Summer/Fall blooming flowers (Asters).

first_asters
The first Aster blooms in our corner garden
We bought the Asters a couple of months ago and planted them at a time when it was rather hot and dry here in Oklahoma.  The result is that only about half the plants are still alive.  The good news is that some of them made it and are blooming now, providing some nice color to our garden.  With any luck, this should result in even more of these little guys coming up next year.

gaillardia_buds
New buds on my Prairie Gaillardias (Gaillardia aestivalis v. flavovirens)
Even with the first cold front coming through over the week, signaling the onset of Fall, the Gaillardias have continued to bloom.  There are lots of seed heads laying on their sides right now - potential for the coming year.

spent_gaillardia_tokajers
Spent blooms of a Gaillardia 'Tokajer' that has been setting seed in the garden.

3 comments:

  1. I love the asters and gaillardias, Zach. Mine have really been doing well too, and the shade of purple is one of my favorites. I don't have gaillardia planted yet, but Kylee sent me some seeds so I'm hoping to see some next year.

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  2. I love the asters and gaillardias, Zach. Mine have really been doing well too, and the shade of purple is one of my favorites. I don't have gaillardia planted yet, but Kylee sent me some seeds so I'm hoping to see some next year. PS Your work on your greenhouse is looking great. I'm sure the result will be very nice...and give you lots of winter pleasure and a great 'hangout' to overwinter less cold-tolerant plants.

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  3. Hi Zach! Asters are pretty, and they should spread. I also left many perennials to drop the seeds. I know, I'll be confused in spring - who is who?

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