Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2007
PDFfile available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/flowers.html

September/October 2007

Back To School Time
Karen Hull, Johnson's East Greenhouse Manager

    Fall is here and school is in "session." At this time of year there is 
not a lot going on in our gardens. It seems our gardens are at "recess." 
Well "ring the bell" because recess is over.
    There is a whole "class" of plants that have a "history" for this
time of year. Along with the "principal" blooms of mums and pansies,
there are some plants that like to "break the rules" and love this time
of year.

"Back to School" Plants for End-of-Summer and Fall Color ...
ANNUALS
    Pansies: every color but green, 5"-8"
    Violas: assorted colors, 4"-6"
    Dianthus: assorted colors, 8"-12"
    Snapdragon: assorted colors, 8"-40"
    Stock: assorted colors, 12"-15"

FOLIAGE PLANTS
    Millet: green stalk with purple spikelets
    Ornamental Kale & Cabbage: frilly leaves in purple, pink and cream
    Ornamental Peppers:
       - Black Pearl -- black leaf with black peppers
       - Chilly Chili -- green leaf with peppers turning from yellow to orange
                     to red.

PERENNIALS
    Mums: assorted red, yellow, bronze, pink and white blooms, 18"-24"
    Aster: blue, pink or purple blooms, 15"-18"
    Goldenrod: yellow blooms, 18"-24"
    Rudbeckia (Blackeyed Susan): yellow bloom with black center
    Phlox: fragrant showy blooms, assorted colors, 24"-36"
    Echinacea (Coneflower): pink, orange, yellow or white blooms, 18"-40"
    Autumn Joy Sedum: rosy red blooms, 18"-24"
    Sweet Autumn Clematis: small fragrant blooms, fast growing

    You might consider these plants as "tardy" but they are right on
"schedule." We still have lots of choices for our fall gardens. If you
have an area or pot that needs to "graduate" to another level, or if you
need the "elementaries" to get started, we can help with whatever
"grade" you are ... or want to be. We can help you get on the "honor
roll" this fall.