Fall Color Annuals

Fall Color Annuals

Before we know it the arrival of fall will be on the horizon and with this in mind I would like to mention planting fall color annuals. When we as gardeners think about the season of fall, images come to us such as cooler temperatures, Halloween, fall vegetables, and fall color annuals. Picture on the right: Pink Dianthus.

The beauty of fall color is that you will have color all season long; the plants can withstand freezing temperatures after being established in the garden, and require very little care or maintenance. Fall color can be used even if you only have a patio or porch. The annuals do beautifully in containers to give you a bit of color in your outdoor living spaces.

For the annuals to be effective I prefer to plant masses of solid colors, and there is nothing more spectacular than complimentary colors massed together. For example: a mass of bright yellow pansies, and then a mass of dark purple pansies. Another color combination would be dark blue or dark purple pansies in the background and a wide front edge of white sweet alyssum. Your yard will be the hit of the season with these color combinations. You can even be very creative and plant your color in masses of diagonal strips, or horizontal strips. A few of the annuals do come in mixed colors such as pansies and there is a right place for these annuals, too. May I suggest when using mixed color annuals such as pansies either plant the mixed color alone with out using another complimentary color, or plant the mixed colors with solid pansies without “a face” (the dark center in mixed colored pansies is called a face). All the color annuals listed prefer the cooler temperatures of fall and winter, especially if you live in the south or southwest. For my newsletter subscribers that live in the northeast or northwest you may use the plants as spring color.

Calendula. Height: 12 – 24 inches. Spacing: 12 – 15 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Red Dianthus is pictured left.

Cyclamen. Height: 4 – 6 inches. Spacing: 10 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade.

Dianthus. Height: 6 – 15 inches. Spacing: 8 – 15 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade.

Johnny Jump Up. Height: 6 – 8 inches. Spacing: 8 – 10 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Pictured right.

Mums. Height: 24 – 36 inches. Spacing: 24 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Mums make an excellent cut flower.

Ornamental Cabbage and Kale. Height: 15 – 18 inches. Spacing: 12 – 15 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Pictured left.

Pansy. Height: 6 – 8 inches. Spacing: 8 – 10 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade.

Petunia. Height: 8 – 12 inches. Spacing: 8 – 10 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Pictured right.

Primrose. Height: 6 – 10 inches. Spacing: 8 – 10 inches apart. Light Requirements: Partial shade to shade.

Snapdragons. Height: 6 – 36 inches. Spacing: 10 – 15 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Snapdragons make excellent fresh cut flowers. Pictured left.

Stocks. Height: 12 – 20 inches. Spacing: 8 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Stocks have a wonderful fragrance and make excellent cut flowers.

Sweet Alyssum. Height: 4 – 6 inches. Spacing: 4 – 6 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Sweet Alyssum has a wonderful fragrance and requires less water than all the other annuals mentioned.

Viola. Height: 6 – 8 inches. Spacing: 8 – 10 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Pictured left.

With the coming of fall we think of what fall brings to us. I think of Halloween Decorations, Fall Vegetable Gardening, Bird Feeders, putting on your gardening gloves, and the wonderful cooler temperatures that come with the season. What Images Do You Imagine With The Coming Fall Season? Check Out Our End of Season Sale. Hibiscus and More is having an early fall season sale to get you ready for the upcoming holiday - Halloween!!! New this Halloween Season we are offering solar Halloween Decoration garden products. Hibiscus and More has a solar jack-o-lantern and a solar spooky skull. Our early season sale will only last until September 18, 2009. This offer is for a limited time only. The jack-o-lantern is originally priced at $34.95 and with your early purchase you save 37% off the original retail price. The spooky skull is originally priced at $29.95 and with your early purchase you save 27% off the original retail price. Hurry!! This is a limited time offer to all my newsletter subscribers.

Don’t Forget To Plan Your Fall Vegetable Garden: Click Here For More Information On Planning Your Garden. Tip: Keep your bird feeders full all year long, and attract more birds by providing a variety of bird feeders. Click Here To Order. Take advantage of Hibiscus and More’s End Of Season Sale On Hibiscus Plants in 4.5 inch Containers and Gardening Gloves. Click Here To Check Out The latest News From Hibiscus and More.