• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Cullen’s Foods
  • Trees For Life
  • Events
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
September 2, 2014

What’s Bloomin’

Last week my garden experienced a burst of late season revival and so the colour continues. A little rain and a little heat are exactly what the garden doctor prescribed and like any good provider, Mother Nature listened.

I plan my gardens so that something is always in bloom. Even in the winter I have something to look at and while it may not be as radiantly colourful as the dahlias, it provides interest nonetheless. I’m here to help you with fall colour and winter interest. Every garden should have something to catch the eye year round.

Flowers for Late Summer – Fall Colour
Asters: the variety is expansive and the colours don’t fall far behind. Asters are a staple for the monarch butterflies gearing up to fly south and the bumblebees as they prepare to hunker down for winter.

Goldenrod: Does. Not. Cause. Allergies. Seriously, the right goldenrod species is well-behaved and not going to spread rampantly about your garden. Skip the Canada goldenrod and think stiff goldenrod, showy goldenrod, and Ohio goldenrod instead. And like I said, being pollinated by insects, the pollen isn’t likely to be blowing around causing that sniffling, sneezing, itchy everything allergy face that is so common in the fall.

Echinacea: the coneflowers start mid summer and don’t stop until late fall. There are a number of hybrid varieties out there now that last even longer and provide a delectable splash of colour.

DSC_0292

Trees and Shrubs for Late Summer – Fall Colour
Have more space? Consider planting a tree whose leaves will change colour. Gingkoes, witch hazel, and locust turn yellow; sugar maple, red maple, and oaks turn varying degrees of red and orange.

Have an in between space? Try a deciduous shrub like the red twig dogwood or arrowwood.

Shrubs that produce berries like the serviceberry are great sources of winter food for birds. I also leave my ornamental grasses, Echinacea, and other tall seed heads standing over winter to provide some nutrient-packed free seed for the birds.

Sept3_blog

Too often we forget about the winter garden. And, frankly, I get it. It’s not my favourite season either. But we can make fall more enjoyable by adding some colourful foliage, and the winter more enjoyable by providing some natural food sources for the birds who are sticking it out with us.

Over the next few weeks, go out and take a look at your gardens. Are there empty spaces where summer flowers have finished and soon the foliage will follow? Consider planting something that will come along just as your other flowers are on their way out.

← Previous post
Sister Sue’s Dahlia Inspiration

Next post →
Trees and Seeds and Leaves Galore

Search

Recent Posts

  • Signs of Spring March 27, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week February 2, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark CullenFollow

Best selling Canadian gardening author as seen on TV, radio, online and print.

Mark Cullen
16 Oct

Tune into @1059TheRegion to hear Ben talk fall colors today with Ann Rohmer or listen online at http://1059theregion.com/ and look for THE FEED

Reply on Twitter 1449275767133773824Retweet on Twitter 14492757671337738241Like on Twitter 14492757671337738244
8 Oct

Thank you so much to @globalnewsto for having @MarkCullen4 on the "Making a Difference" segment this week. Take a look at the broadcast here: https://globalnews.ca/video/8248858/national-charity-committed-to-inspiring-tree-planting-initiatives-across-canada

Reply on Twitter 1446542309101867034Retweet on Twitter 14465423091018670342Like on Twitter 14465423091018670343
29 Jun

Bird watching isn't just a hobby, it’s an opportunity to help. Gardening expert Mark Cullen explains.

https://nexthome.ca/news/bird-watching-isnt-just-a-hobby-its-an-opportunity-to-help/1284617/

@MarkCullen4

#garden #flowers #gardens #gardenlife #nature #gardenlove #birdwatching #birding #wildlife #birdlovers #birdlife #naturelovers #birdlover

Reply on Twitter 1409878268090716161Retweet on Twitter 14098782680907161615Like on Twitter 140987826809071616117
18 Jun 2021

Written by @MarkCullen4 for @TorontoStar, check out the top eight picks for planting in hot spots.

#LandscapeOntario #GreenforLife #GardeningTips #GardeningTrends #TorontoGardens #SouthernOntarioGardening

https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2021/06/15/these-8-plants-are-heat-loving-sun-worshippers.html

Reply on Twitter 1405955991699701762Retweet on Twitter 14059559916997017622Like on Twitter 140595599169970176210

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods Share Agriculture Foundation Harrowsmith
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑