The Bounty of Fall

Finally the heat and drought of summer has been broken. Sure, it will be hot again before it is cold, and dry again before we get to the rainy season. But this little break has me thinking about the clear blue skies and the blaze of colors just around the corner. So maybe now is the time to name some of those beauties who are getting ready to show themselves off.

One of the easiest perennials to own and grow is Amsonia hubrictii. This ferny foliaged fellow is clean all summer, pest free, and makes a great companion to broad leaf perennials. But it turns copper in the fall, and as the angle of the sun changes and catches the lower angles, it literally shines in the landscape.

We certainly think about tree color when we think of fall color. Here's one on the very top of my list: Pistacia chinensis. This is a very tough tree in the heat, and particularly in the drought. It makes a nice large tree with a beautiful head on it. But take a look at that color.....Can you imagine any better color?

Color doesn't just come from foliage, either. The bounty of fall is full of beautiful, colorful, fruits of all kinds. One example is Ilex vomitoria 'Virginia Dare'. Yes, this is one of many many hollies. The foliage is nice and clean, the deer won't bother it, and these luminescent orange berries last all winter long.
It is time to start dreaming about fall, and planning for it, too. I'll be adding to this list of "must have" fall plants over the coming days.

Start taking notes. Fall is also for planting, and you are going to want to include some of these gems in your garden. Something to look forward to!

Hot Happy

Amsonia hubrichtii

 Hot. Too hot. Too soon. They've already started talking rainfall deficits, lake levels, drought. The spring started off with a lovely, gentle, moist whimper, but now shouts rough, parched summer sizzle.

So what to do?? Start taking notes on what is wilting already. It may be headed to the compost pile soon. Start your new "want" lists. here are some items to include:

Amsonia hubrichtii- what a delicate companion to larger, coarser leaves. Blue star flowers in spring, elegant drought tolerant foliage all summer, glorious copper colored fall foliage.

Iris germanica 'Hello Darkness'

Iris germanica 'Hello Darkness' (and many others) - for some reason, Iris is out of style. But I cannot imagine a plant that wants dry and hot more than these beauties. Many colors, color combos, foliage contrasts with the swordlike leaves. EASY.

Carex phylloacephala 'Sparkler'

Carex phyllocephala 'Sparkler'- shade gardens are often very dry. Trees take the water away, compact the soil as they do, and leave pretty inhospitable patches to work with. But some of the sedges will do the trick- and look pretty doing it! Variegated foliage is particularly desirable in deep shade.

Phlomis fruticosa

Phlomis fruticosa - This is one of many many in the Sage family. Fantastic gray green fuzzy foliage, incredible yellow tubular flowers arranged around the stem, and a very large presence. Never flags, but always commands attention.


Opuntia 'Thornless Blue'- Nothing says dry weather like cactus! But it is quite an ornamental plant if you look carefully. New foliage is attractive, fruits are purple, flowers are yellow and huge.

Opuntia 'Thornless Blue'

Windbreak at Specialty Ornamentals

Combine that texture with Yuccas, Teucrium, and Atemesia 'Powis Castle', and you've got a totally drought tolerant garden with incredible interest year round.

Pinus palustris is tough and drought tolerant. Nolina is, too. And what a lovely couple they make. Start making that new list.

You'll listen to the weather reports with a smile on your face forever after.

Pinus palustris and Nolina texana