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?

It's Not Too Late!

This spring was a slightly unusual one here in Greenwich – it seemed as though the cool, rainy days of April went straight through to the hot and humid days of mid-July, without any of the temperate spring days we’ve come to expect for perfect planting. There were way too many days in May and June that I decided were too cold or too hot, too damp or too dry, too rainy or too sunny to go out and dig. The results of all my excuses are a collection of empty pots on my patio and beds with gaping holes. Luckily, it’s not too late!

As far as those holes are concerned, I’ve got a plan that includes lots of perennials. We have some beautiful ones in our nursery area. I’m particularly drawn to the Lavender plants pictured at top. The soft gray tones of their foliage and the pale purple blossoms are lovely, but the real prize is their amazing scent. I’m looking forward to planting them in the early evening one night this week (when the temperature drops a bit – better for me and for the plant!), along with a few Platycondon ‘Astra Blue,’ or Balloon Flower (pictured above). Their airy lightness adds an element of fun to my perennial border!

Another perennial favorite is Echinacea, or Coneflower. My mom always had the traditional mauve colored ones in her garden, but I’m thinking of adding some of the newer varieties, such as the bright yellow ‘Now Cheesier’ (pictured above) and a bright magenta ‘Fatal Attraction.’ As long as I water them thoroughly both before and after planting and give them the full sun they require to thrive, I will be enjoying their blooms for the next few weeks – and of course, again next year!

Hostas, above, are another great choice. While they are reaching the end of their bloom time, the lasting foliage is my favorite characteristic. They’re a great plant that provides lots of drama for the edge of a wooded area or any other shaded place. I love seeing different varieties planted en-masse; the overall effect is simply stunning.

Sedums are another fun option. I’m going to be planting some this week in an old strawberry pot that was passed down from my grandmother. When it belonged to her, she always used it to plant Sempervivum, or Hens and Chicks. I’m going to mix it up a bit this year and include Sedum pachylados, above, and some of the more trailing Sedum siedboldii ‘Mecliovariegated,’ below. Requiring lots of sun and a minimal amount of water, the drought-tolerant succulents are a great choice to carry me through the dog days of summer! For those who may not have their grandmother's strawberry pot or are looking for a great, unusual gift, we have some great containers already potted and ready to be delivered.

One of the benefits to my procrastination? Many of our past-bloom perennials are currently on sale for 50% off! Located towards the bottom of our driveway, you’ll find many varieties of strong, healthy plants that have finished blooming for this year but will be back again next year. I’ve got my eye on some great varieties of daylilies, or Hemerocallis, that may have to be added to my shopping cart. As always, you can stop in to see our most current selection, or simply give us a call or email me!

What gardening tasks did you put off this spring because of the weather?

Instant Summer Color!

Whew! What a week it’s been here in Greenwich! The cold, soggy days of May are gone – and the hazy, hot and humid dog days of summer are right behind. Worried that you missed your window for planting? Don’t be! At McArdle’s, we still have plants arriving daily from local growers, filled with lots of options for providing that instant and lasting pop of color in the garden, filling in gaps and adding drama to the green backdrop that the spring perennials will leave behind.

Annuals such the Lantana “Firewagon” in the top picture (sun-lovers) and as the Begonias “Bonfire” and “Big Rose Angelwing” above (super in the shade) are great performers and will bloom their hearts out for you all summer long, as will the Mandevilla “Red Crimson” below. All are annuals in our zone, but can be brought inside come September to overwinter should you have the space and desire. The blue/purple shade of Lobelia "Riviera Marine Blue," also pictured below, is another great choice if you're looking towards the cooler shades of the color wheel. (And have no fear - we're fully stocked with traditional standbys such as geraniums and impatiens as well!)

When thinking about color in the garden, many instantly gravitate towards flowers, forgetting how much variation in color, texture and shape foliage can provide. Varieties of Coleus, Caladiums such as “Red Flash” and Rheos (all pictured below) are familiar standbys in the annual category. Other great perennial choices are Heucheras and Hostas – while both are flowering now, their lasting foliage is the main event. Both are available at the end of our driveway in the shade section.

Have you finished your window boxes and planters of annuals and looking for something colorful, blooming and perennial? “New technology” Endless Summer Hydrangeas bloom on new wood, enabling what used to be July favorites to bloom throughout the summer, giving the shrubs instant and virtuously uninterrupted color throughout the season.

Whether you are looking for the immediate color (spur of the moment barbeque this weekend, or perhaps a long awaited graduation party but you just haven’t had time to get the planters done with all the end of the school year activities) or are planning ahead for the rest of the summer, we have exactly what you need. Stop by, give us a call or email me – the weather this week is forecasted to be perfect for planting! Enjoy it while it lasts!

What's your favorite way to add a pop of instant color to the garden?