White flowers cluster like butterflies atop tall spikes on these airy 2½- to 4-foot-tall plants. Selected forms include 'Siskiyou Pink' (to 2 feet tall), with rose-pink flowers and 'Whirling Butterflies' (to 3 feet tall), with white flowers.
This continues part 2 of 2 about ideas for fall plantings.
Geum chiloense
Tall flower spikes grow from mounds of velvety foliage to 15 inches high, 2 feet wide.
‘Lady Stratheden’ has clear yellow blooms; ‘Mrs Bradshaw’ has double scarlet blooms. Both have a delicate wildflower look.
Gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia hirta)
Deep golden petals radiate from chocolate centers on 2- to 4-inch-wide flowers.
Plants reach 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 ½ feet wide. Shorter varieties such as ‘Goldilocks’ and ‘Toto’ top out at 10 inches tall.
Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa)
Tall stems of these Mediterranean natives are set with widely-spaced, hooded yellow flowers.
Moisture-conserving thick, typically furry or hairy leaves are lance-shaped. Pretty planted with lavender and red hot poker (Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’).
Lavender
Every garden should have one of these beauties.
English lavender is the most fragrant, but Spanish lavender’s deep purple “rabbit ears” stand out in garden beds.
Where space is tight, grow a compact form; one we can’t wait to try is Lavandula angustifolia ‘Thumbelina Leigh’, coming late this year from High Country Gardens. It stays 12 to 15 inches tall.
Pineapple sage (salvia elegans)
At its best in fall when it sends up spikes of vivid red flowers, this salvia’s foliage smells like ripe pineapples.
The plant grows 4 feet tall. S.e. ‘Golden Delicious’ grows 1- to 3 feet tall with fire-engine red blooms and chartreuse leaves.
Have fun planting and don't forget to add cuttings from your garden into your home for a fresh festive feel of fall. Find lovely clear vases at my store to display indoor cuttings.
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