Summer is coming to an end, but that does not mean your garden has to. If you are looking to add new life to your Pittsburgh landscaping this fall, consider planting colorful perennials. The beauty of perennials is they continue to bloom for more than one season, unlike annuals. Visit a local garden center, like A&N Lawn Service Inc. in Pittsburgh, for a wide selection of perennials. To get you started, below are some of the more popular perennials for gardens this fall.
Asters
One of the longest flowering perennials, asters are a perfect addition to any fall garden. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Known for their dense mounds of pink, blue and purple flowers, they can grow from one to four feet tall. A favorite of migrating Monarchs, asters make a perfect fall backdrop for butterfly watching. These perennials, which do well in a garden or a pot, thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
Balloon Flower
Known for their balloon-shaped buds, these colorful perennials are sometimes referred to as Chinese bellflowers. The most common colors of these bountiful blooms are dark blue, pink, purple and white. Able to reach almost two feet tall, balloon flowers enjoy sunny or partially sunny locations. For areas heavily populated with deer, the balloon flower makes a beautiful lasting addition due to their resistance to deer.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums may be the first variety of perennial that comes to mind when you think of fall plants. The selection of colors is almost unlimited. They are perfect for porch décor or added to soil to liven up your landscaping. Easy to take care of, they only require water when the soil begins to dry and prefer a sunny spot.
Goldenrod
A resilient fall plant, goldenrod is known for its bright yellow flowers. Bees and butterflies are attracted to these sunshiny blooms, which can grow up to two feet tall. Don’t be afraid of this plant variety causing hay fever. It is a common myth. The culprit is actually ragweed that blooms at the same time.
Helenium
Another fall perennial that is falsely known as causing hay fever is helenium. These daisy-like flowers bloom in shades of yellow, orange and red. Helenium are a great addition to any fall garden because they bloom when many other plants are finished flowering for the season.
Heucheras
Also known as coral bells for their shape and hue, heucheras make a wonderful addition to your garden as their color tends to become more vibrant in fall.
Sedum
Sedums, also known as “stonecrop”, are very easy to care for, which makes them ideal plants for the novice or busy gardener. These rugged plants prefer full sun and have fleshy foliage that can withstand drought-like conditions. Based on their growth patterns, there are two categories of sedums—low-growing, or groundcovers, and uprights. These perennials come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Many sedums produce clusters of star-shaped flowers that attract pollinators due to their nectar-rich blooms. Throughout the life of the blooms, the colors may change several times, making them a colorful addition to your garden.
Local Garden Center Serving Pittsburgh and Surrounding Areas
Choosing a local garden center in Pittsburgh for your fall perennials ensures that the plant varieties purchased are ones that will fare well with the local environment. A&N Lawn Services has been providing customers in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas with expert gardening and landscaping advice for over 20 years. We pride ourselves on locally grown products and knowledgeable staff. Stop by A&N Lawn Service Inc. for the latest selection of fall perennials or call us at 412-931-9230.