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Photo by L.A. Jackson
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The flaming colors of fall blueberry bushes.
Photo by L.A. Jackson
Fall is when many trees and shrubs adorn themselves in bright colors to celebrate the changing of the seasons. But while I do enjoy the visual intensity they bring to the garden, I also like to playfully contrast them with cooler tints. In particular, blue is my favorite hue because, well, blue in the autumn garden—who knew?
One of my go-to pretties that waits until summer's end to show off its "blueness" is caryopteris (Caryopteris sp.). Also known as "bluebeard" or "blue mist," this perennial parades long-lasting blueish/purplish flower puffs that lingering bees, butterflies and hummingbirds appreciate late in the growing season. Some cultivars also display white or pink blooms, but I prefer the bluer end of the spectrum.
Caryopteris is an autumnal head-turner. But when not in bloom, popular cultivars such as 'Longwood Blue' and 'Dark Knight' are just green blobs in spring and summer landscapes. However, if you prefer foliage with more visual pop, hunt for snappy cultivars such as 'Snow Fairy,' 'Summer Sorbet' or 'White Surprise' that sport fancy variegated leaves. How about flashy chartreuse foliage instead? Check out 'Worcester Gold' or 'Gold Crest.' You might run across any of these selections now at local nurseries, and they are not hard to find online.
An Eastern Asia import, caryopteris is reliably hardy in South Carolina gardens. It thrives in sunny locations, but take care to plant it in decent growing grounds because dense soil can encourage root rot. Well-draining locations such as raised gardens, rock gardens and large containers will work just dandy.
Caryopteris is drought-tolerant (once established) and deer-resistant. It is also maintenance-light, meaning it doesn't demand a lot of attention every time you step into the garden. As far as nutritional needs, a dusting of time-release, low-nitrogen fertilizer or a heaping helping of compost in the spring will do just fine, thank you.
After growth begins in the spring, you can leave your caryopteris alone, and it will typically top out at about 3 feet high and wide. However, tip pruning will make the plant bushier. Since flowers form on new growth in the spring and summer, pruning will help encourage even more blooms.
September in the garden
- Summer is over—and so is the veggie patch, right? Certainly not! As a matter of fact, this month is a good time to plant such cool-season favorites as collards, broccoli, carrots, radishes, kale, mustard greens, garden peas, English peas, edible-pod peas, rutabaga, spinach, turnips and Brussels sprouts.
- Extend the pleasure of the summer culinary seasonings garden by potting and bringing in divisions of herbs such as lemon balm, thyme, oregano, mint, chives and parsley that are easy to care for over the coldest months if placed in windows well visited by the low winter sun.
Tip of the month
If you want to add even more "fire" to the flaming fall colors in your landscape, here's a deciduous woody ornamental to consider that might surprise you: blueberry. Many blueberry bush cultivars, besides being sources of tasty, nutritious treats in the summer, become quite the showoffs in the autumn garden. Their foliage brightens to sizzling reds, smoldering yellows, intense oranges and glorious burgundies. Blueberry bushes sold in containers can be added to the garden now, while bare-root specimens should be bought and planted in late winter. Good drainage and full sun will help keep blueberry bushes happy.
L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.