Transitioning Into Fall

Fall is just around the corner, with last night’s cool temperatures in Greenwich being a cruel reminder for those of us who are in denial that summer is coming to a close. While I’m excited about the prospect of crisp, local apples, ripening pumpkins and beautiful foliage displays, I’m not quite ready for mums and pumpkins by my front door just yet.

That puts me in a bit of a predicament, as some of the annuals in my planters are starting to look a bit worse for the wear, with leggy petunias and scaevolas that turned crispy while I was on vacation, while other annuals, like my sweet potato vine and coleus, are thriving. It would be a waste to start again from scratch, but I can’t leave them the way they are. My solution? Selective replanting.

My petunias will be removed and in their place, I will pop in some SuperCals in terracotta, pictured above, a great plant that will thrive in cooler temperatures and will get me through till the first frost (here in Zone 6, the first frost usually occurs in October, but can be as late as November!). In the place of my scaevolas, I’ll be planting angelonia (pictured below), another fantastic annual that will do well through the early fall, while providing color and interest to my pots (I just have to decide -- purple or white?).

I’m also going to gradually move towards the harvest look by adding some Pennisetum rubrum, or Purple Fountain Grass, to the mix. Not only do I love the color, but I also love the movement, texture and playfulness it adds.

Another annual I can’t get enough of at the moment are the zinnias pictured in the top image. The color is simply stunning, with shades of yellow, orange and hot pink – a fiery mix that I can’t resist that is perfect for hot summer nights and cool, fall evenings. They’ll look simply fabulous in these Campania International urns that I have by my back door.

Need a specific suggestion for a pot by your back door? Email me! I'm happy to help you find your perfect plants.

What’s your favorite way to transition from summer into fall?

Outdoor Entertaining with McArdle's

This is the time of year that I can't bear to be inside, making excuses of any kind to stay outside just a little bit longer (just like I did when I was 8 years old, begging to stay until I caught one more firefly or finished one more game of capture the flag!). While I still might stay outside to catch one more firefly, I'm just as likely to stay out on the patio for one more glass of wine with a great group of friends. Cooler temperatures forecasted for Greenwich this week means I will definitely be out there again this weekend!

After working so hard on my outdoor living spaces during the spring, I want nothing more than to share the fruits of my labor with company. Entertaining outdoors is so rewarding for me; the food just seems to taste better when it’s enjoyed outside. Because I've developed a system that works for me over the years, I'm more relaxed and am able to enjoy the party more -- something that doesn't go unnoticed by my guests. At McArdle’s, we can help with those special touches to make your party memorable. We have everything from the floral centerpieces (our website has lots of great options; Just Beachy is a perfect hostess gift or summer centerpiece for a small table), to gourmet goodies perfect for hors d’oeurves and desserts and cocktail napkins to match any decor, to the chairs to sit on and the umbrellas to sit under.

One thing that can absolutely ruin a party is a pesky mosquito buzzing in my ear. This year, with West Nile being found in mosquitoes in Old Greenwich, I want to be sure that my guests aren’t worried about them as well. This year I’ll be using Bite-Lite soy candles in addition to the more traditional torches. Bite-Lite candles are not only adorable (they come in luminary, metal tin and glass jar styles as well as simple votives), but have a delightful lemongrass and spearmint scent. For those who are looking for torches, we have them as well. In addition, we also have a selection of repellant sprays in our Garden Shop (some of which are organic, and others which contain DEET for those looking for ultimate protection).

Whatever your summer entertaining needs are, McArdle’s can help! Just email or give us a call, and we can help make your summer party the one people remember all winter long!

What's your favorite tip for hosting a specatular outdoor party?