Autumn is often called the second spring because there are so many garden flowers in bloom at this time.
Not only is autumn weather stable and pleasantly mild in most parts of the country, the garden is all abloom as well. Little wonder, then, that this time of the year is regarded as the second spring. While winter is fast approaching, many plants are emblazoned in a final flush of blooms before dormancy sets in. These are some of the plants to consider for turning your garden into an autumn floral spectacle.
Annuals
Many summer-flowering annuals bloom through into autumn, making a vivid display of every possible hue. As winter approaches most of these plants are replaced with winter- and spring-flowering alternatives. The lesson is to allow summer flowers to last as long as possible and not be tempted to remove and replace them too early in the cool season. Enjoy the impact of large sunflowers with their golden blooms, zinnias in a wide array of shapes, colours and sizes, and asters are rewarding and make for excellent cut flowers. Remember to plant out these annuals in the garden in late spring or early summer in order to enjoy an autumn display. Other flowering annuals to consider for a spectacular autumn display include cosmos, salvias, torenias, browallias and portulacas.
Perennials
Denne historien er fra May 2018-utgaven av The Gardener.
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Denne historien er fra May 2018-utgaven av The Gardener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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FIRE AND Feathers!
On a dreary winter's day, a screen of fiery and feathery leaves puts up a fight against dullness!
GET THE ladies in!
At this time of year, early-flowering shrubs vie with each other to get the most attention. We say: Trust those with female names for frills and butterflies. They go the extra mile to flower their hearts out.
Vegetable Soups and dumplings
Vegetables make the most delicious soups and classic combinations are always a winner.
Yummy sweet potatoes for your good health
Boiled, baked or braaied, sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a delicious and healthy winter comfort food. Just a dollop of butter, a little seasoning and you are good to go.
Pretty and functional
If cooking is your main thing, you would probably be more interested in the culinary value of the three herbs and some of their varieties we are describing.
Dried Seedheads & Pods
Autumn and winter are the best times to see what flowers produce the best seedheads that can be left on the plants to feed the birds and bugs and for harvesting for dried arrangements.
SO MANY FACES and so many choices...
Whoever associated a Cotyledon orbiculata (pig's ear) with the ear of a pig obviously did not know about all the varieties and cultivars this species in the genus Cotyledon has.
COLOURFUL Cold Weather WINNERS!
If it comes to a vote, these dependable shrubs will be the top candidates for prime performance in winter and in other seasons...
What makes a garden sustainable?
It is interesting to note that the United Nations defines sustainable development as: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Nurturing NATURE-The Story of Kraal Garden's Transformation
Nestled within Prince Albert's rustic embrace lies a gem that is a testament to the transformative power of human vision and nature's bounty.
