 Uvularia grandiflora |
Misconceptions abound when it comes to perennials and wildflowers for late bloom in the garden. This seems to be especially true when gardening in the shade. One I hear most often is how the woods are filled with lots of 'pretty weeds' that die right after blooming. There may be some truth in that one, but it is equally false. There are many early blooming perennials from the forest floor that persist in foliage until frost in the fall. If, when planting early bloomers into the garden, one pairs a plant with early dormancy beside one which persists until fall, space gets filled as the seasons progress. Virginia bluebell, (Mertensia virginica) with merrybells (Uvularia grandiflora) are a good example for companions. The blue of the Mertensia makes a great color combination with the yellow blooms of merrybells. Bluebells will be dormant by July, but merrybell foliage will persist until our first hard freeze. The Uvularia also happens to be quite attractive as a foliage plant. |
Probably the second most common misconception I hear concerns the lack of perennial plants with attractive blooms for late summer and fall. There truly is no shortage of reliable plants, just a lack of emphasis in gardening literature. The selection may not be quite as abundant as spring and early summer blooms, but there remains quite a show that can be presented in the late season perennial garden.
When planning late season color for the garden, do not forget to go beyond blooms. Many perennials produce brightly colored berries. Shrub and trees change colors and can have foliage just as showy as the blooms. Shrub and tree foliage assists in complimenting and contrasting to bring out the color of late blooms. Green truly is a color to count on in the garden. The various shades of green taken for granted earlier in the year now come into their own, providing contrast with all the yellow, red and brown of late in the season.
| Aconitum species and hybrids are among my favorites for late color. You can have a monkshood in bloom from July through mid-December simply by carefully choosing your selection for bloom period. Heights can range from under two feet to well over head-height. There are also monkshoods that take the form of vines. Colors range from white to pink and cream, but they are best known for lavender, purple and blue blooms. Monkshoods are also available in bi-colors. Please note that all parts of monkshood are poisonous and should be planted and handled accordingly. Two companions to consider for monkshood are hardy begonia (Begonia grandis) and maple-leaf fairy candles (Cimicifuga acerina). Both are shorter plants with good foliage contrast in color and texture, while blooming at the same period as the monkshood. |  |
 Monkshood flowers |
 Begonia grandis |
Hardy begonia is most noted for its colorful foliage. Large, textured leaves on reddish stems, red-backed, veined leaves much resembling the houseplant angel wing begonia. They will, given a bit of time, form good-sized colonies from the small bulbils that form in the leaf junctions. Blooms are pastel-pink. |
| The maple-leaf fairy candle begins coming into bloom during mid-July, but the full compliment of bloom stems and flowers happen during the first part of September. The glossy foliage is shaped to resemble the leaves of a maple tree, forming slowly spreading clumps below a foot in height. The willow-like stems are covered with frothy white blooms reaching around eighteen inches to two feet. I find this, along with our native species (C. racemosa), which blooms in July, to be the most dependable when coming into bloom during the hottest and driest parts of our seasons. |  Cimicifuga acerina |
 Lobelia siphilitica |
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Our native Lobelia and some of the named hybrids are among my favorites for fall color. They begin coming into bloom, depending upon species or hybrid, during August and are at their best during September. My favorites are the native great blue (L. siphilitica) and cardinal flower (L.cardinalis). The great blue lobelia can reach up to three feet in height under optimum conditions, but for me reaches around 1 ½ to 2 feet. Foliage is fairly large, and the bloom stems are numerous on each plant, covered with dense spikes of soft lavender-blue flowers. Each bloom is specifically designed for bees. The lower lip of the corolla extends to provide a landing pad so the bee can enter the tube for pollination. |
| Toadlilies (Tricyrtis) are a must-have for the shade garden. All that is required for success is well-drained, humus-laden, soil with a bit of mulch and some shade. Excessive periods lacking moisture will cause browning in the foliage. Numerous species and hybrids offer a size and growth habit to fit almost any shade garden. They can be as small as six inches to three feet or more, in height. Habit may be stiffly upright, arching over from about mid-height, or relaxed and flowing as water down a cliff face. Blooms are generally small in relation to overall plant size, but numerous. Individual flowers are quite intricate in design and I am always reminded of spotted orchids while toadlilies are in bloom. | |
 Tricyrtis x miazaka |
 Gentian flowers |
I seldom see Gentiana in local gardens and that always puzzles me. They are no more difficult or demanding than any other perennial in the garden. With a bit of choosing one can have a gentian in bloom from June through mid-December. There are numerous species native to North America and this immediate area, as well as the summer and fall blooming species and hybrids originating from Asia. Color of bloom is generally some shade of blue. Bloom shape can range from an open flaring trumpet to a closed bottle. Foliage can be grass-like or broad. One can have a gentian with ground-hugging habits fewer than four inches, to over four feet upright clumps, so there is a size and shape for every garden. |