Extension Communications 3614 Administrative Services Building Ames, Iowa 50011-3614 (515) 294-9915

9/15/03

Contacts:
Cindy Haynes, Horticulture, (515) 294-4006, chaynes@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033, jmcguire@iastate.edu

Yard and Garden Column for the Week Beginning Sept. 19, 2003

Seven Flowering Perennials for September

By Cindy Haynes
Extension Horticulture Specialist
Iowa State University

Many popular flowering perennials such as peonies, iris and daylilies peak in spring and early summer. With the exception of the "sometimes hardy" mums, few of us plan and plant for fall bloom. But September and October don't have to be only two months of falling leaves and waning blooms in the garden. There are several perennials that work hard to bloom in the garden after Labor Day.

Asters (Aster) are always dependable bloomers in a sunny flower garden. Many start blooming in late August and continue through early October. Asters range in height from 1 to 5 feet and are crowned with clusters of brilliant pink, fuchsia, lavender, purple or white daisies. 'Purple Dome' and 'Alma Potschke', with dark purple or fuchsia flowers, respectively, are stunning in September. Asters should be planted in full sun with well-drained soils and good air circulation to prevent the development of foliar diseases.

Another common fall blooming perennial is Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Sedum). The fleshy leaves and flat-topped flowers are showy long before they actually bloom. The flowers look like bright green broccoli in mid summer and change to deep rose, and then to russet, as the season progresses. 'Autumn Joy' is one of the easiest perennials to grow and is adaptable to many sites. It performs best in sunny locations with well-drained soils. Plants reach 2 feet in height and are attractive and sturdy enough to stand for most of the winter.

Goldenrod (Solidago) is falsely accused of causing hay fever and therefore rarely planted in home gardens. Yet, its adaptability and cheery golden flowers make it a fantastic addition to the landscape. Sunny sites with dry, infertile soils are best for goldenrod. This perennial thrives on neglect, and who couldn't use a few hassle-free perennials in their landscape. Look for 'Crown of Rays' or 'Fireworks' for blasts of blooms from late August until frost.

For more understated elegance, Japanese Anemone (Anemone) is a perennial all-star in September. The clear white or pink flowers have bright yellow centers and resemble small poppies. Plants are open and airy and reach 3 to 4 feet in height at maturity. The dark green, grape-like leaves add to the elegance and complement the flowers. Plants thrive in moist, rich, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade. One of the most popular white-flowered cultivars, 'Honorine Jobert' has been planted and admired in gardens since the Civil War.

Fall-blooming perennials are not limited to sunny sites. Turtlehead (Chelone), one shade-loving perennial, has dark green leaves that are topped with bright pink flowers in August and September. The flowers resemble the open mouth of a turtle, hence its common name. No matter the common name, this perennial is fantastic in moist sites in partial shade to shade. Plants are clump forming and reach 2 to 3 feet in height.

Another shade loving perennial is Toadlily (Tricyrits). Where this perennial got its common name is still a mystery. But it is no mystery why so many gardeners are tucking this perennial into the landscape. The sprays of curious, orchid-like flowers make it a "must-have perennial" for the serious collector. The cultivar 'Miyazaki' has stems that are literally covered with tiny, white blooms with purple spots. This is one of the last perennials to bloom in my garden, often not beginning until mid September and continuing until frost. These plants prefer moist, fertile, well-drained soils and are definitely worth the wait.

For something not so common, try Yellow Waxbells (Kirengeshoma), a 3-foot tall shrubby perennial with large maple-like leaves. The bold and coarse appearance of the leaves, contrasts nicely with the clusters of small, pale-yellow, tube-like flowers. Plants require partial shade with moist, fertile soils. Once planted, they should be left undisturbed as they resent frequent division and transplanting.

There is no need for your landscape to be void of perennial color in fall. Find a few places in your garden for these dependable fall blooming perennials.

Other Fall Blooming Perennials

Ornamental Grasses
Monkshood (Aconitum)
Blue Spirea (Caryopteris)
Obedient Plant (Physostegia)
Sneezeweed (Helenium)
Plume Poppy (Macleaya)
Chocolate Eupatorium (Eupatorium)
Boltonia (Boltonia)
Hosta (Hosta)
Bugbane (Cimicifuga)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Bigleaf Goldenray (Ligularia)

For more fall blooming perennials download Late Season Perennial Flowers (RG 304) from Iowa State University (ISU) Extension publications at www.extension.iastate.edu or visit your ISU Extension office for a copy.

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Editors: Three color photos, suitable for publication, are available at right. Click on each thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The top picture's fullsize photo is 324K; the middle picture's fullsize photo is 172K; and the bottom picture's fullsize photo is 192K. Caption: Goldenrod (Solidago)
Caption: Japanese Anemone (Anemone) 'Honorine Jobert'
Caption: Toadlily (Tricyrits) 'Miyazaki'

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