Hillermann’s Nursery,
sandi Mcdonald Hillermann
Fall is a very refreshing season. Lower humidity, lower temperatures and increased moisture are all things that make enjoying the season of Fall outside a great one! The only thing I am not happy about Fall is the shortness of daylight. It is such a clean-air time of year you want to just soak it all in. The colors of Fall are also all around you. Not just the usual mums, pansies and kale, notice what Mother Nature has to offer: the colors of our native plants, the drying of our ornamental grasses as they sway in the wind. I would encourage all to NOT trim your ornamental grasses till early spring (March). Enjoy the waving in the wind of the beautiful grass plants. They are also exceptionally beautiful with ice and snow. www.hillermann.com, 636-239-6729, 2601 E. 5th Street, Washington, MO 63090
Sugar Creek Gardens, Ann lapides
Here are a few of my favorites plants for fall color.
Blue Star, Amsonia hubrichtii. A billowing mound of willow-like leaves that turn brilliant yellow in fall. Sky-blue flowers appear on 3′ stems in late spring.
Toadlilies, Tricyrtis. One of the most exquisite shade perennials. Long arching stems with orchid-like specked flowers. Easy to grow, reaches 24″ tall and wide.
‘Lowdown’ Perennial Sunflower, Helianthus salicifolius. Luminous yellow daisies completely cover 12” plants in late summer and fall. Highly ornamental needle-like leaves look great all year. Excellent substitute for mums as its foliage is far superior. www.sugarcreekgardens.com 314-965-3070, 1011 N. Woodlawn, Kirkwood Missouri 63122
Bowood Farms, Ellen Barredo
Fall Annuals for a different look include:
Carex Toffee Twist -a tall bronze grass, Bracteantha – Strawflower Flame, Chrysocephalum Flambe Yellow, Diascia, Euphorbia Diamond Frost, Nemesia Sunsatia Lemon. 314 454-6868, 4605 Olive St., St. Louis, MO 63108.