Did you know.......
Ancient civilizations burned aster leaves to ward off evil spirits.
Tulip bulbs can be substituted for onions in a recipe. So, when your dinner recipe calls for onions; check your garden before shopping at the store!
Chrysanthemums are associated with funerals in Malta and are considered unlucky.
The very expensive spice, saffron, comes from a type of crocus flower.
Today is the first day of fall. It was bound to happen. But don't let it get you down. There are fun things in store for the cooler weather. Let Hibiscus clean and prep your garden for the fall and winter weather. Contact us for a FREE ESTIMATE or call 718.207.1625.
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HELLO FALL!
Fall is the time to plant bulbs for next year's flowers. Planting bulbs about six weeks before the ground freezes is a good time to plant. You can trim your flowers in the fall or wait until early spring. Once the perennials have turned brown, you can cut the stalks (stems) to about 4 inches above the ground.
It is also a good time to check your soil's pH level. If it needs to be raised or lowered, the fall is the best time so it can work over the winter. You can get information about soil testing kits from hibiscusflowershop.com or info@hibiscusflowershop.com
It is also important that you put away all the garden stakes, tie them together, stack the tomato cages together. Bring in clay pots because they can freeze and crack.
Lastly, clean your tools and prepare them for next year. Spray shovels, spades and hoes with an oil--cooking oil can be used. It keeps them from rusting and makes them easier to clean next year. Clean any tools you used for cutting plants, this keeps fungus or disease from this year's garden from getting into next year's garden, flowers and plants.
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Okay, so it's September and your looking at your garden and ask yourself, "is it really over?" No, it's not totally over. There are still plants that will flower through September and beyond. Some have bloomed in the late summer and will finish during September. But there are others that will bloom through September and until the snow falls to stop them. Here is a list of some:
1. Snapdragons
Depending on where you live (NYC is zone 6B), snapdragons will act as a perennial or as an annual. The plant produces flowers that reach up to 4 feet high. Flowers can be white, red, pink, orange or purple. They like to bloom and will continue to do so until snow puts a stop to it.
2. Sunflowers They continue to bloom in September. The pretty faces of the sunflower sit on top of long legs (stems). Some varieties have heads that are over a foot wide. The heads turn to face the sun as the day progresses.
3. Japanese Anemone
Anemones are also known as windflowers. The Japanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis) blooms in late summer and fall. Depending on the plant you choose, the flowers are white, red or pink. With anemone varieties that flower in summer, as well, choose flowers that bloom through the spring and fall.
4. Aster
You have a lot of varieties to choose from if you intend to plant the perennial flower aster. These have a wide color palette. Height varies as well, with some growing up to 6 feet tall. Make sure you choose a fall bloomer, because some breeds have been created to bloom in spring.
5. Chrysanthemums
Perennial chrysanthemums--Aka Mums begin to bloom in September. Yellow, orange and burgundy are common colors for the flower. Chrysanthemums are perennials, so start them off right and you'll be able to count on their flowers year after year. Moderate climates can expect mums to blooming into October. Cold climates might have to grow mums as annuals.
6. Pansies
One of the first flowers that you see bloom early summer. But you can also get them in late September. Summer pansies can bloom year after year unless you live in a hot climate. In other places, the flowers might do better as a biennial or even as an annual. If you live in a moderate climate, pansies bloom in September, and then might live on through the winter, blooming whenever the weather isn't too harsh. The flowers are up to 3 inches wide, the plant about 8 inches tall maximum. What is fun about Pansies is that the petals are edible, can be used as cut flowers and are pretty as dry pressed flowers.
Happy Fall!
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