September has been very wet. The lawn still has standing water in the long yard grass, preventing the lawn from being mowed. The daylilies are browning. The few lisianthus that haven’t bloomed are blooming in the wet clay. The clematis looks like it may have a touch of wilt. The petunias are nearly gone. The late summer starts of catmint and parsley were drowned out. The roses have a couple of blooms, but they look tired.
The bed needs a takedown of dead and browning foliage, removal of annuals, general evaluation of the mulch situation and the need for perennial repositioning for better bloom count next year. Then an evaluation just to look and see what is happening or has happened in the fall bed in general. What worked and what did not.
A big unknown will be the state of the bed at the site that held the koi pond next spring. Will it spread in size? Will it stabilize and blend into the larger bed and not become a big bed of quicksand in the center of the bed proper? That is the question. I am toying with planting bulbs, seeds, or plant starts to see if they will help stabilize the area. In the end, I think less is best until next spring, then look at what it really is, dealing with the reality of the old fish pond site.
The weeds that grow around the edges of buildings and garden beds are growing very well. They have the vigor of being native and living in the soil that enhances their growth. If only all our flower garden plantings had this quality. Natives can be planted that are enjoyed and that is an option when replacing things that did not produce as much as hoped.
In the community, Brown Eyed or Black Eyed Susan’s are in full bloom and their brilliant colors appear to vibrate from their petals from a distance. They are an excellent choice. I plan on using these next year, as well as: Coneflowers, Daisies, Hollyhocks and Blanket Flowers.
Though Mathmouth Mums are not native, they are certainly a product of the University of Minnesota’s research program for a mum that could be grown in Minnesota in brutal temperatures and still come back in the spring, be beautiful in the fall, with good mounding form. I was in Minnesota when this mum was developed. It has held the interest of many Minnesotans, as mums are a much-loved plant, but could only be had if they were treated as an annual. This research has changed the gardenscapes of Minnesota and is becoming better known throughout the temperate parts of America.
I have grown the Mammoth Mum as soon as I could obtain it. My last mum source was Burpee by mail at $15.95, plus shipping, each. I have grown it in New York state at other bed sites before I moved here. The mum comes to you at about 4” tall that you plant in the fall. It grows about 4-6” the first year and the next year it grows a lot more. It is advertised as a plant that you do not have to cut back by early July, but in my experience you still need to do that. Otherwise, there is the staking issue of a floppy plant in heavy bloom. When the plant gets bigger with more stems, you might not have to do this. I have never gotten the mum to that stage due to life events.
Everything I have mentioned or recommended is a modestly priced plant or can be started from seeds. I know plant prices and shipping may not seem modest, but compared to many other things, like a cup of fancy coffee, or even a drive-thru meal, this is within the realm of modest. I always recommend that if you have garden friends, please trade or donate what you can to other growers. Sometimes folks who have gardened forever have things you cannot get elsewhere, or have a high price tag elsewhere. It is good to share. We all need to do that to help one another.
Your soul will tell you it is a right and good thing. It is good for you.
Gardeners, please wear sunscreen, bug spray, cover-up, and don’t overdo it. If you are laid up, you cannot garden or tidy up the garden. You will get more done in short work sessions and you will feel better. Watch for sales of small garden tools and clothing. Buy some if needed or make sure you let others know what you need for Christmas: more gloves, another pair of boots when it is very wet or if you have a leak. Enjoy looking, if nothing else.
Garden on!