Fall Moves In

One of the things I like about Georgia is the extended warm season. Summer flowers continue past the official date of fall and fall flowers take us to almost winter. Yet natural signs of fall show up even with the flowers, many of them triggered by clues other than daytime temperature: crunchy leaves on the sidewalk, ripening seeds falling to the ground or puffing away on the wind.

Rhus copallinum, winged sumac

This week I noticed some of the signs that fall is moving in and realized I’d better appreciate this transitional moment while it’s here.

Some of the things that are leaving - leaves are dropping fast from the tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) while the milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) seeds are taking flight.

 

Liriodendron tulipifera

Asclepias tuberosa

Symphyotrichum racemosum

And some of the new things like pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) with a tiny white aster (Symphyotrichum racemosum) growing up through the base of it. Across the driveway, a seedling aster has sprouted.

Muhlenbergia capillaris

I can't believe I forgot to include this gorgeous blue fall flower in last week's post on fall flowers. Common names include blue mistflower and hardy ageratum, and I suspect that Conoclinium coelestinum has been a favorite pass-along plant since settlers first arrived. Adaptable and hardy and a bit enthusiastic, it makes a great spreader, especially in moist ditches.

Conoclinium coelestinum

Conoclinium coelestinum

Female bees are still collecting nectar and pollen this time of year and plants like the blue mistflower are important sources. Here is a picture of one coming in for a landing; notice the fat collections of pollen on her leg.

Clusters of berries await birds and other critters to discover them. I enjoyed watching a female cardinal eat some of the bright berries from the hearts a bustin' (Euonymus americanus) a few weeks ago.

Callicarpa americana

These white and purple beautyberries (Callicarpa americana) are ready for birds like mockingbirds and catbirds to find them.



And it wouldn't be October without something bright and orange, would it? These outrageously colored mushrooms caught my eye the other day on my walk. There was no way I could miss them. Enjoy fall at your place and be sure to notice the amazing natural world around you.

Fall Colors in the Native Garden

Fall leaf colors are often talked about, but fall flower colors are lighting up the landscape right now. If I were go to a field, a wild field, the colors there would a mixture of yellow, purple and white. If I could find a field that hasn’t been mowed down by the power company, that is!

New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

Oh, anyway, the point is that nature’s wild combinations can be beautifully replicated in your own garden and can be a source of delight to the butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and bees that are looking for pollen and nectar this time of year. Here are some ideas.

Bright yellow flowers of late summer/early autumn come in all shapes and sizes. Most noticeable are the goldenrods (Solidago spp.) which many people still fear as a source of allergies. This is not true as the pollen of goldenrod is too heavy to be wind-borne. Other people are nervous that goldenrod is too aggressive for the garden. There are actually several species of goldenrod that are known as “clumpers”and which can be used in the garden.

Grey goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) is a nice clumper

Other yellow flowers include some of the members of the sunflower family (Helianthus spp.). Swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) is probably the star of the season with its statuesque form and large bright flowers. I am also very fond of the Appalachian sunflower (H. atrorubens). Flowers known as “golden asters” are also blooming: silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia), Maryland aster (Chrysopsis mariana) and yellow camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris).

Swamp sunflower (H. angustifolius) has narrow leaves and showy flowers

Liatris pilosa with Solidago and Lobelia

Purple flowers are an excellent foil for the yellow flowers. There are several late season blazing stars (Liatris spp.) blooming now.

Monarch butterflies are very fond of blazing stars. Around here, it is primarily Liatris pilosa. I am trying to cultivate Liatris aspera in my garden as well; it blooms a little earlier.

 

 

Symphyotrichum patens

 Where the blazing stars leave off, the asters take over. A variety of pale to deep blue asters are native to Georgia and are excellent drought tolerant perennials. First to bloom is the one oddly enough known as "late purple aster" (Symphyotrichum patens). It is very similar in form to Georgia aster, with tall rough stems, clasping leaves and sparsely arranged flowers.

I can only tell them apart when they bloom.

Symphyotrichum georgianum

Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum) has larger and more deeply colored purple flowers. The flowers can be up to 2 inches wide. It lacks the bright yellow center of S. patens, instead having a cream colored center that darkens to purple once the center disk flowers are open. It is a sprawling plant and looks best in its natural habitat where it is propped up by native grasses and other plants.

Two additional native blue asters have been cultivated extensively: New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) and aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium). New England aster is native to northern areas of Georgia while aromatic aster is native to adjacent states to our north and west.

If you are looking for garden worthy asters, you might enjoy reading this report by the Mt. Cuba Center on their trials. Although their growing conditions are different, you might find some of the observations useful.

Symphyotrichum dumosum

White flowers may not get all the glory, but they do a lot of work in the late season garden. To those of us trying to identify white asters as to specific species, there is a dizzying array of them. Seriously, there are a lot of them. The rest of you can just say “Oh look, small white asters!”

I love to watch the assortment of skippers, hover flies and tiny bees that visit these flowers.

Ageratina altissima

Blooming right in there with them are the late thoroughworts (Eupatorium spp.) and white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima).

So if you're looking for a colorful and natural fall garden that supports a healthy population of native insects, look to the yellows, blues and whites for inspiration.