Early Mum Color

In order to encourage Fall to arrive, I'm spreading the news far and wide about Autumn color. There is lots to look forward to for fall color...I promise.

Today's color is from early mums.

Diana

Hannah

Helen

Michelle

Temptress

Urano Orange

Phyllis (don't think you can fit another bud on this gal)

Echo

Oh Henry!

This one is going in a corner bed that is begging for more fall action.

'Henry Eilers' Rudbeckia

It gets about 4ft tall, and 2 ft wide.
It loves the sun.
It doesn't mind a bit of neglect (I can provide that).
It also does pretty well as a cut flower.

I have pulled some of the fading summer annuals in anticipation of planting fall pansies, and some hardy plumbago.

This little (big) guy caught my eye and will be good towards the middle of the bed where I need some more height and definitely more fall interest.

I Want Fall

Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall!

Fall Magic Million Bells 'Salmon'

If I say it often enough maybe it will come sooner?

No?

I'm still gonna think Fall.

I really can't do otherwise...it is poking its little head out at me at the Stand all day long:

• I'm ordering and stocking and displaying fall plants of every kind.
• I'm receiving and displaying Fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving merchandise in the gift area.
• We are starting to see more reddish peppers in the green pepper bushels in the produce area.
• Concord Grapes are in!
  

Sneak Peek Mukdenia 'Crimson Curls'

Also I'm getting in a lot of 'Sneak Peaks'. 'What is that?' you say? They are new varieties and new colors of sample plants nurseries start to see if they want to grow them for next year. A few of my growers plant extra to sell, and therefore get reactions from retailers and consumers on how those selections might go over for next year.

Above is one of these 'Sneak Peeks', it is Mukdenia 'Crimson Curls'. It is a shade perennial ground cover. It likes to be kept moist. Its color starts out green and then goes into a bronze red on the edges as summer progresses. It gets a white flower in spring, and grows to a height of 12-16 inches.

Mums. Mums. Mums Mums.

Chrysanthemums, another none mistakable sign of Fall. I know a lot of people gripe about not liking mums. I don't get it. It seems if its a plant readily available, easy to grow, and fairly expensive it gets labeled as commercial and over done and therefore undesirable. Hey, mums are gorgeous, easy to care for, inexpensive, and come in a boatload of colors...whats not to love?

Ahhh...I so want Fall to get here.