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Weatherproof Your Flower Garden this Fall

Back to 2008 Press Releases

Tips from Farmers' Almanac ~ the Original Sustainable Living Guide

For Immediate Release – September 10th, 2008

Media Contact:                       
Cynthia Greenwood
GreenMark Public Relations                   
847-404-8404
cgreenwood@greenmarkpr.com
                   

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Sept. 9, 2008) - There's nothing more discouraging than watching a beautiful flower garden shrivel up and die during a drought. And it's hard to watch plants turn black when temps fall below 36 degrees or see mildew grow on foliage when there's too much rain. 

You can't control the weather, but you can choose plants that are most likely to survive in garden locations that are too wet, too dry or too cold. In the 2009 Farmers' Almanac, the original sustainable living guide, freelance author Judy Kneiszel offers these picks for weather-resilient flowers to plant this fall.

Drought-resistant
These perennials look good when rain showers are few and far between and the sun is at its hottest:
  • Purple coneflower: Both heat and drought-tolerant. Produces single flowers on long, sturdy stems. Petals range from soft lavender to purple and surround a red-orange center. Grows in full sun to partial shade in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9.
  • Russian sage: Lavender-blue flowers complement delicate silvery-green foliage. Tolerant of poor soil and drought. Woody, multi-stemmed plant is low maintenance and produces 12-inch spiky blooms from July through frost. Plants are 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Does best in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9.
Wet-tolerant
If you have a spot in your garden that's always soggy, try these perennials:
  • Siberian Iris: Ideal for wet soils, even bog gardens. Flowers have six petals and come in a variety of colors. Blooms late spring and early summer. Leaves are narrow, green and grass-like. Plants reach 18 to 36 inches tall and are about as wide. Does well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9.
  • Cardinal flower: Its native habitat is stream banks and moist meadows, so this plant doesn't mind having its feet wet. Grows 2 to 4 feet high and gets flashy-red, hummingbird-attracting blooms from midsummer through September. Brilliant scarlet flower spikes contrast nicely with low-growing purple and yellow flowers. Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 9.
  • Swamp rose mallow or rose mallow: Cold-hardy wetland perennial grows in large colonies. White or pink flowers with reddish-purple centers can be 4 to 7 inches wide, but last only one day in July through September. Leaves are grayish-green and usually three-lobed. Grows up to 6 feet tall, but the need for staking is rare. Overwinters easily in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 10 with good drainage. Protect the root crown with a layer of mulch. In colder zones, roots can be lifted from the ground in the fall and stored in a cellar. 
  • Astilbe: Shade- and moisture-tolerant plants usually grow 2 to 3 feet tall, although some varieties can grow to 4 feet. Foliage is medium to dark green; some have reddish-copper overcast. Flowers from early June through August, in white and pink, red or lavender shades. Requires about an inch of water each week to prevent brown or dying leaves. Also needs well-drained soils and does not perform well in heavy clay. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9.
Cold-tolerant
While asters, hardy mums and ornamental cabbage have long been a staple in the fall garden, they are now making room for new varieties like icicle pansies and violas, which are bred specifically for cold climates. Planted in late summer or early fall, they'll bloom until the snow flies and again in early spring.

Additional gardening tips can be found in the new 2009 Farmers' Almanac or at www.farmersalmanac.com.  

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Editors, please note: High-res images are available by contacting Cynthia Greenwood, cgreenwood@greenmarkpr.com or 847-404-8404.

About the Farmers' Almanac:
The Farmers' Almanac, which features an orange and green cover, has been published every year since 1818. Available at grocery and bookstores nationwide, it contains useful and interesting articles, as well as long-range weather predictions, gardening advice, recipes and more. Editors Peter Geiger and Sandi Duncan are available for lively and informative interviews, either by phone or in person. Both love to talk about the weather, share useful Almanac trivia and advice, and offer tips on how to "get back to the simple life." Visit on the Web at www.FarmersAlmanac.com.