Try adding fall color with mums

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, September 2, 2009

This time of year there is quite often a lack of color in our landscapes. Some summer annuals are starting to look stressed; the color is fading and leaves are yellowing and drying out. Since it is too early to plant pansies, a great option for color is to add chrysanthemums (also known as mums) to your planting areas.

They are available in several different sizes and quite a few different shades of bloom color including yellow, whites, reds and purples. They will fill in nicely until pansy planting time arrives.

Mums can be planted in planters, pots and planting beds. They are perennials, so you can make them part of your perennial beds. When you are ready to plant pansies in your beds you can transplant the mums to anywhere in your landscape where they will receive good sunlight.

If you would like a little color inside your home, mums can give good color in a sunny area. Walk through your yard and consider where Chrysanthemums could compliment your landscaping. You will be pleased by the blast of color you’ll receive when using Mums in your yard.

Here are some good shrubs that will give your yard nice late summer color. Butterfly Bush has bloom colors of white and different shades of either blue or purple. Butterfly Bushes are known for their long blooming season and are great for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. Knockout Rose is another great bloomer that has several colors available to choose from; they have been known to bloom past Thanksgiving.

For good leaf color try Lorapetalum, several varieties of Abelia, or Goldmound Spirea which also has a pink bloom. For flowering trees that are blooming now consider using Crape Myrtle or Little Gem Magnolia. With the right plant choices you can be sure to have great color in you landscape throughout the year.

Happy gardening.