Color for the winter garden…

Viola x wittrockiana 'Matrix Orange'

I have to say my new favorite color this season has to be orange.  It is the perfect shade for the fall & winter garden.  And this ‘Matrix Orange’ Pansy which I added to several containers is at the top of my list.  These cold loving annuals are always on my list of plants to add every October, since they will keep going strong right up till the following May when the heat sets in.  At that point I replace them with summer annuals therefore keeping my containers looking good year round.  Here’s some info on this new selection for my garden:

• Under 6″ in height and 6-9″ in width
• Prefers full sun – partial shade
• Orange to a yellow-orange color
• Blooms repeatedly all season
• Average water needs (don’t overwater)
• Propagate by seed, division or stem cuttings
• Tender perennial with herbaceous foliage
• Hardy in zones 7a-10b

Summer annuals linger in the garden…

Purple & White Angelonia with Pink Impatiens

The summer annuals are still going strong in my garden even though it’s the end of October.  I would love to plant some Pansies in this container as I do every fall but I don’t have the heart to yank these beauties out yet.  I might go ahead and buy the pansies though since they have them instock at my local nurseries now.  Hope everyone had a nice weekend in or out of the garden.  Can’t believe this month is almost over already.

Salvia ‘Coral Nymph’

( From L-R: faded Coral Nymph Salvia bloom and new bloom)

I love Salvias and this annual type that I’ve grown from seed the past two summers is no exception.  The name is very accurate since the bloom is a pretty shade of coral pink that fades to a paler version over time.  I’ve scattered seeds in the inner circle of the Arbor Garden in early May and I’m hoping it will reseed itself.  Here’s some info:

• Grows 18-24″ tall
• Prefers full-part sun
• Attracts bees & butterflies
• Propogate by seed or cuttings
• Hardy in zones 8a-11

Wordless Wednesday – Fall Containers

Purple Violas & Yellow Chrysantheums

Bloomin’ Tuesday – Blooms and Berries

(From upper L-R across & down: Beautyberry, Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Viburnum 'Winterthur', 'Black-seeded Simpson' lettuce seedlings, Variegated Lirope, Violas and Hydrangea 'Pinky Winky')

September has brought some cooler morning & evening temperatures.  Along with that comes some of my favorite fall blooms & berries.   Violas, Sedums and Lirope bring color and add interest to the garden.  The purple berries on Beautyberry or Callicarpa americana make a striking combo against the lime green foliage of this native ornamental shrub.  Viburnum ‘Winterthur’ is another native shrub that produces berries that start out a off white color and fade to pink and eventually to a deep blue tone.  This has been a bountiful season for these two shrubs, both are loaded with berries for the birds.  My Hydrangea paniculata ‘Pinky Winky’ is in it’s 3rd season and full of blooms that are maturing to a dusty rose color.  And it wouldn’t be fall without some fall veggies like this great loose-leaf lettuce ‘Black-seeded Simpson’ which I planted with some of those pretty purple Violas.  To see more Bloomin’ Tuesday posts or to join in this week, please visit our gracious host Jean by clicking on the link below: