Fall Annuals

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The cool autumn days are typically the time for planting perennial plants that will burst forth in the spring with colorful flowers and foliage. Did you know that many annual plants can be planted in the fall, such as Kale, Mums, Pansies, and Salvias, to name a few? These plants can be interplanted among your perennials and shrubs and will fill the spaces with color. Planting Ornamental Kale in the Fall Ornamental kale or cabbage have ruffled leaves that become more colorful as autumn progresses. Plant these fall annuals between late September and early October so they'll have time to establish themselves before the temperatures begin to cool. The coming frosts enhance their color, making them standouts in the late fall and winter months. Ornamental Kales can often be seen lighting up the garden after a fresh cover of snow. Planting Pansies in the Fall Pansies are another popular fall flowering annual plant. Pansies come in a vast array of colors, including yellow, purple, blue, and orange. These colorful flowers are perfect for flower beds, mixed borders, decorative containers, and extensive mass plantings. Plant pansies in full sun to part shade areas of the garden, and they will reward you with cheerful colors from early autumn through early to mid-spring. Pansies are also perfect plants to use in hanging baskets that may be looking tired from the long summer season. Planting Fall Annuals in Decorative Containers Fall is a great time to plant up some decorative pots to display on your front porch or the deck. Colorful planters welcome guests into your home and add color to entryways. Planting annuals in containers is simple as long as you follow a few simple rules. Start with a taller plant in the center of the pot. This plant can be Ornamental Kale such as Redbor Kale or Dusty miller plants. Kale and dusty miller retain their color throughout the winter and typically are not bothered by freezing temperatures. This plant is called the "Thriller." The second level