In less than two weeks, October is here! And while it is the month of everything pumpkin and trick or treats, it is also a time for planting flowers. To help you decide what you need to be planting, we are sharing a great post from homeguides.com. Take notes and happy planting! Oh, and a little tip, Georgia is a 7 or 8 planting zone.
Bulbs
Bulbs are perennial plants that have fleshy, underground structures that store nutrients during the plant’s dormant period. These can be narrowed into two categories; spring bulbs, which bloom in the spring, and fall bulbs, which bloom in fall. The fall season is when many gardeners plant spring-blooming bulbs. Spring bulbs require time for their roots to develop before frost hits. According to the University of Vermont, spring bulbs shouldn’t be planted until the soil temperature is below 60 degrees. Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are one of the earliest blooming bulbs, and it grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Daffodils (Narcissus) grow in USDA zones 4 through 8, blooming in March and April. Tulips (Tulipa) — which grow in USDA zones 3 through 8 — are typically the next spring bulb to bloom, producing their flowers in April and May.
Annuals
Unlike perennials, annual plants won’t return year after year and generally die off when frost hits. However, several species of annuals can be planted in fall. Called hardy annuals, these plants prefer the cooler season but need time to establish before the cold weather sets in. Petunias, pansies and garden mums are a few such hardy annuals you can plant in early October. Pansies (Viola) grow in full sun to part shade and are the go-to annual for colorful gardens. Petunias (Petunia) are deer-tolerant, cool-season annuals that produce blooms in bright colors. Hardy garden mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium) are perennials in USDA zones 5 through 9 but are generally grown as annuals in full sun to partial shade.
Fall-Blooming
Fall-blooming flowers are stunning when other plants have stopped blooming for the year. In warmer climates, these fall-blooming plants can be planted directly into the ground during the fall season. “El Fuego” blanket flower (Gaillardia “El Fuego”) produces deep red blooms with fluted petals in USDA zones 3 through 8. This sun-loving perennial blooms from spring through the fall and attracts butterflies. “Chim Chiminee” black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta “Chim Chiminee”) is a butterfly-attracting perennial that grows in USDA zones 3 through 9 and has gold, yellow and bronze flowers. These stunning blooms appear in midsummer and last through the fall. “Merlot” coneflower (Echinacea purpurea “Merlot”) has bright pink blooms with a cone-shape middle that appears on wine-colored flower stems. “Merlot” grows in USDA zones 4 through 9 in full sun. The colorful flowers bloom in early spring and fall.
No time to plant your our fall flowers this October? Leave the work to us at Stone Creek Landscaping, your full service landscaping company.