'Autumn Joy' - My Fall Favorite

'Autumn Joy' in my rock garden

'Autumn Joy' Sedum couldn't be better named.  I get a thrill inside every time I spy one while driving around town.  They are my very favorite fall-blooming herbaceous perennial.  The succulent foliage is quite attractive in the garden all summer long, but by the end of August and into September when the blooms come on it is absolutely stunning.  Linda has it planted next to purple Russian Sage in her City View Dr. yard, and I really like that combination.  I've got plants all over my yard, but my largest and most brilliant ones are in my rock garden and my drought tolerant park strip garden.  It does best in full sun but can be planted in part sun also.

'Autumn Joy' in my park strip

Autumn Joy is the perfect plant for Uinta County gardeners who want to keep garden interest in the fall when many summer perennials are starting to fade.  It is hardy to Zone 3, drought tolerant and it doesn't take over.  I've read that it is deer resistant, but I've heard a few rumors that deer do like it.  However, I've never had any of mine eaten and I often get the night visitors in my yard.  Maybe I just have too many other things they like for them to bother with the Autumn Joy. 

All of my plants are from divisions and root cuttings.  The root cuttings were quite informal and really just a chance discovery.  I found a bunch of root pieces in the pot that my mom brought me with a couple of divisions in it.  I went ahead and buried the pieces of root around my yard that fall.  The next summer I had little Autumn Joy starts all over my yard.  Most of these root cutting plants are very small because the root pieces were tiny.  If you use a larger chunk of root, you'll get a bigger plant.

Linda's 'Autumn Joy' with Russian Sage

I've read that Autumn Joy comes with different flower and foliage colors.  My favorite is the one in my pictures.  I do have one plant with a lighter pink flower, but it just doesn't give me the same thrill.  So if you are picky, you might want to get a division from a plant that you like or buy one from a nursery when it is in bloom so you know what you're getting.

Here in Uinta County we try to extend the gardening season as long as possible so we don't get bogged down too early in the long-winter blues.  I recommend 'Autumn Joy' Sedum be your first choice for a late season garden.

by Sara

Excited About My Clematis!

My Jackmanii Clematis

There aren't very many perennial vines that can be grown easily in our Uinta County climate, but luckily one of our choices is clematis.  I've really been enjoying my clematis the last several weeks.  It took a couple of years for it to make it to the top of my lamp post in one growing season, and I really like the effect. 

Rock Soapwort

Clematis roots need to be kept cool and moist.  I've got rock soapwort planted at the base of my clematis, and it seems to be doing the trick.  The late spring blossoms are gone by the time the clematis blooms in mid to late summer, but the foliage remains to provide the shade needed.

 
Jackmanii clematis is hardy to zone 3, but not all clematis are this hardy.  When shopping for clematis, look for one hardy to zone 3 or 4 for success in Uinta County.  Here is a link to get you started in learning how to plant and care for clematis - Growing Clematis.

If you've got a clematis in your yard and you know which type it is, make a comment on this post and let us know.

by Sara

A Peek at Crystal's Yard

Crystal's Favorite Garden

Yesterday I visited with Crystal, who lives in the Aspen Grove area in Evanston.  In the last six years since moving there, she has worked hard to develop her perennial flower beds.  Though her beautiful spring and early summer-blooming perennials get a lot of attention from winter-weary motorists passing by, there are some mid-summer bloomers at their peak right now, and they are nothing to scoff at.  I'm going to highlight just a few of them:

Shasta Daisies

Shasta Daisy (perennial) - You might think this is a pretty plain, everyday sort of flower, but it can be stunning in a perennial garden.  I think they look great next to purple flowers, such as salvia or delphinium.  They can be a great staple for your cut flower arrangements, and kids love to pick bouquets to decorate the table.  Crystal says they have been very reliable and survived the winters just fine.  She recommends keeping them thinned out every few years since they spread.  They are a great plant to share with friends.

Delphinium with Yellow Lilies

Delphinium (perennial) - Crystal has quite a few delphiniums growing in different parts of her yard.  She loves them because they give beautiful color later in the season and because they are tall and add a new dimension to the garden.

Bachelor Buttons

Bachelor Buttons (annual) - These are actually an annual flower, but since they re-seed so readily, they do well in perennial beds.  They come in shades of pink, white blue and purple.  Crystal likes them because they fill in the garden, especially in places other things won't grow.

Daylily - 'Daring Deception'

Daylily (perennial) - Daylilies are really fun because they come in so many colors.  Crystal is trying out a new variety this year called 'Daring Deception.'  She likes these flowers because of their later blooming time and because they are really hardy.  They are also quite drought tolerant, but she recommends watering them a little more often than some of your other drought tolerant plants.  Otherwise they are very low maintenance.  You just have to cut down a few dead flower stalks.

Yarrow

Yarrow (perennial) - If you have a weed problem with the wild white yarrow you might be cringing right now.  But don't tune this out.  Yarrows are not all created equal.  Yes, the wild white type is a weed, and the pastel varieties re-seed easily and can become weedy.  But many are very content to stick where you plant them.  As the clumps enlarge, you can share with friends, but they never become a nuisance.  Paprika Yarrow (red) and the yellow types are like this.  Crystal has a yellow variety which she really likes because of the color changes in the flowers as they age.  They go from yellow to an almost red color.  She also likes them because they are very drought tolerant.

If you'd like us to highlight some of your gardening successes in word and picture, contact us with this secure online contact form.

by Sara