Did you know late summer, into fall– like right now– is a great time to add to your native plant garden? If you were to spend a day in the meadows and forest at this time of year, you will likely notice lots and lots of seeds. Did you know Mother Nature sows her seeds in the fall and that we could take a lesson from her and do the same? Fall is a great time to plant perennials and shrubs.
Planting now is a great idea because the roots will have a chance to get established so that come spring, the plants will be that much farther ahead, setting themselves up for success. Once cold weather sets in, they will be dormant above ground, but will continue to slowly establish their root system throughout the fall, winter and into the spring. Then, when spring arrives, they’ll have a head start.
If you live locally in western NC, the Botanical Gardens at Asheville is having a fall sale on Saturday, September 9th from 9-3. I’ll be there with my friend Kim from Milkweed Meadows Farm, selling my greeting cards, and all of Kim’s amazing perennials. She’ll have Tina James Magic Evening Primrose, Milkweed, Blue Mist Flower and lots of other great nectar and host plants for butterflies, moths and other pollinators. I hope to see you there, and if you do come, please say hello to me. I’d love to meet you, or see you again if we’ve already met!