Landscape/Gardening Information

Now that we have had refreshing rains, perfect soil conditions for planting and cooler temperatures it is time to plant some beautiful additions to the landscape. Whether it is a shade or ornamental tree or some of the shrubs and mums that are so beautiful at this time of the year, when they are doing their thing. We need to take a look and think about getting them planted. Garden centers and nurseries may well be offering specials during the fall, another reason to plant at this time of the year.

One of the things I like to look for at this time of year is shrubs or small trees with either uniquely colored foliage or berries. Once in a while you can get both, that's a real deal! This is the only time of the year that the fruit can be seen so if you are looking for something to add to the landscape and you would like to have interest both in spring and fall, this is the time to select plants with colored foliage or beautiful berries. Occasionally you can get a double bonus - a plant with colored foliage, berries and even a plant with unique growth characteristics like weeping form or twisted branches.

Here are few plants you should consider for planting this fall:

• "Lavender Twist" Weeping Covey Redbud- Rosy-pink flowers completely cover bare, weeping branches in early spring. This small tree combines the best of two different worlds. It has cascading weeping branches, like that of a Weeping Willow and clusters of pink blooms on every branch. Its compact size allows it to be the main attraction of any garden, even those with limited space. Major bonus- it likes our clay soils in the Miami Valley. Flowering and weeping


• "Zydeco Twist" Tupelo Tree- Its form is amazing, especially after the vivid red fall foliage drops and the branches zig-zaggy form is more obvious the entire in winter. It is one-of-a-kind. It has a central leader and a pyramidal form like other Tupelos, but the branches are unique. It's like a living piece of garden art that will only get better and more striking with each passing year. Plant it near the patio where you can see the kinked and twisted branches. Major bonus- it grows well in our clay soils. Fall foliage color and twisted branches


• "Prairie Fire" Flowering Crab- This small tree is a beauty in the spring and again now with the tiny maroon berry-like apples. Butterflies love the flowers and birds eat the fruit during the winter. Bonus- Tolerates a wide range of soils. Spring flowers and berry-like fruit in the fall.


• Hydrangea- There is a number of varieties of this shrub that will provide blooms most of the summer and color of the drying flowers in the fall. Major bonus- likes our clay soils. Flowers from July to November.

Remember, the fall season is one of the best times of the year to plant. Fall plantings get established before the next growing season and will be easier to take care of next year.

30 years of Growing
Meadow View Growers
New Carlisle, OH
www.meadowview.com