Perennial Fall Color

One Perennial that always stands out for it's fall color is the Geranium. Above is Johnson's Blue. The color is an outstanding brick red and it is still flowering above the foliage with bright blue-purple flowers.


Karmina (above) and Biokovo Geraniums also have the rich red fall color, but they have smaller leaves and mostly bloom in spring and early summer.



Purple Dome Aster is blooming very heavy right now, with nice purple clusters of Daisy-like flowers.


Red Shift Coreopsis is a new variety we have grown this year. It is a soft butter yellow with a deep red center (above) until the weather starts to cool off. The red gradually bleeds out until the flowers are completely red (below).


Red Shift Coreopsis

Some Shade

I don't feel like I have done the shade plants justice yet, so here goes:

Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbagoides) is a very versatile perennial. It does well in full sun but will also thrive in shaded areas with some sun. It makes a beautiful taller groundcover. The bright blue flowers will bloom most of the summer and the foliage blazes bright red in the fall.


We recently started growing Midnight Rose Coral Bells and have been very impressed with the unique color patterns on the leaves. The leaves are very dark purple with bright pink specks.



Most of the Hostas are done blooming and starting to die back, but Guacamole is still shiny and green, and the large white blooms smell so sweet. (see below)


Guacamole Hosta



Bugbane (Cimicifuga ramosa 'Atropurpurea') also has a very sweet fragrance.

September Charm Anemone has large, soft pink flowers that are blooming heavy right now.

Chocolate Chip Ajuga is a nice groundcover for shaded areas. The leaves are narrow and compact and the flowers bloom purple on spikes in the spring.

Fall Bloomers etc...

Pink Ripple Thyme is still blooming sporadically, but the plants are incredible (see below). They could easily pass for a 2 gal plant


Pink Ripple Thyme



Hummelo Stachys is a Lamb's Ear that is quite a bit different. It has very showy flowers and smooth, medium green leaves. This is another that is thriving and totally dwarfing the little 1 gallon pot.

Hummelo Stachys


Yet another low, groundcover-type perennial that is doing exceptionally well this year: Georgia Blue Veronica


New England Aster is blooming now (photos above and below). It is a native species which shows in the flower color variations.


New England Aster



Fireworks Goldenrod just keeps getting brighter and brighter. It has such a nice form and gorgeous shot of color for the fall.



Tall Sedum are really blooming nicely right now. Above: Matrona


Neon Sedum


Autumn Fire Sedum with Matrona and Neon in the background

Perennials

Coneflowers are blooming nicely right now, the taller orange variety is Sundown and the shorter variety to the left is Twilight.


Spiderwort is a beautiful and versatile perennial that can tolerate full sun or part shade. This is a golden leaf variety called Sweet Kate (also called Blue and Gold)



Neon Sedum is just starting to show color.



Matrona Sedum is in full bloom with pale pink flowers and purple/green foliage. (Above and below)

Perennial Photos

Here are some photos that have not been posted. All were taken this year at the nursery. Above: Rozanne Geranium


Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbagoides)



The 'East Gravel'
I love when the flower colors frame and comlpiment each other.


Palace Purple Coral Bells



Meadow Rue (Thalictrum aquilegifolium)



Marcus Meadow Sage.
This is a dwarf variety that stays compact and only get to about 12". The flower color is softer and more on the blue side compared with May Night.



Kamschaticum Sedum
We have recently started carrying flats of this variety and the one below.


John Creech Sedum



Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium)


Meadow Rue (Thalictrum flavum 'Glauca')



Red Carpet (Elizabeth) Sedum



Citronelle Coral Bells


Caramel Coral Bells



Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrata)

Re-bloomers

Perennials just don't quit. Most can be cut back after flowering and will rebloom either as heavily as the first time or just sporadically. Here are some that are re-blooming right now here at the nursery:


Joan Senior Daylily still looks the same as it it did two months ago. It is so sweet with the soft yellow-green eye.



Rocky Top Coneflower (Echinacea tenneseensis) is quite a bit different from Purple Coneflower varieties. It has a beautiful, rose pink flower and softer foliage. Here at the nursery it has been more of a sporadic re-bloomer, but the foliage stays very nice.


Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnaris) has finely cut, soft green foliage and an adorable flower with a tall cone and reflexed ray flowers. The flowers vary in color from pure yellow to yellow with a deep red center to pure orange red.



Blue Loveliness Self Heal (Prunella) keeps suprising me every year. It is still as covered in blooms as it was in spring. It will keep blooming through the summer, but benefits removal of spent flowers; it will have a cleaner look and even more stunning purple flower clusters.



Raspberry Swirl Dianthus has been cut back and is blooming again right now. The flowers are few but the foliage still looks amazing.




Fire Star Dianthus is another Dianthus that is reblooming nicely right now.

Shades of Lavender (and yellow)

Russian Sage is a very dependable, shrubby perennial that blooms like crazy and is easily maintained. We also carry a smaller variety called Little Spire. We grow both in #1 and #2 pots.


Walkers Low Catmint is another very vigorous, attractive perennial. It goes crazy in a pot, but in the ground I have seen it spread to about four feet across and covered in blooms from May to October.


Variegated Liriope adds some beautiful variegated color to borders and as a groundcover, but the blooms are surprising on a Liriope. These have been in full bloom for at well over a month and still going strong.





One of my favorites is Silver Mound Artemisia. It just looks like a cloud and is so soft. It does die out in the middle if it gets too much water. The blooms are not very showy and cutting them will improve the foliage and growth.



Mariesii Balloon Flower has a large, bright purple, star-shaped flowers, and is taller than Sentimental Blue.


Moonbeam Coreopsis has done very well this year. The profuse pale yellow flowers glow against the dark green foliage.


Johnson's Blue Geranium is looking very nice and is available now.



In a mass Johnson's Blue makes a great groundcover that will do well in full sun or part shade. It can get leggy and should be pruned to maintain a more compact shape.