Companion Plants to Celebrate Fall Colors

Between now and the first hard freeze by the end of October, we can expect afternoon rains and increased humidity. These are excellent conditions for a late growing season; so I’m going to share something I have done in my own yard to maximize plant growth and color intensity to enhance our enjoyment of my fall gardens. Plants can look tired and pale following their exuberant spring and summer growth; to counteract their washed-out appearance I highly recommend one last feeding with a granular organic plant food. Especially effective is the plant food I created specifically for our area called “All Natural Plant Food”.

A hearty meal will brighten flowerbeds, force more flowers from rosebushes, and bring out the richest blues and greens from all your trees and shrubs. When fed now, plants will be healthier, flush new growth, and look like brand new plants before they shut down for the winter. This is especially important for plants that have been eaten by grasshoppers, caterpillars, aphids, and other garden pests.

Some of my favorite plants in local landscapes are grasses. Now, I’m not talking about lawns; I’m referring to ornamental grasses with majestic plumes that move freely in the wind. It’s odd that garden centers carry few if any of these grasses during the rush of spring planting; however, now through fall you will find a huge selection of ornamental grasses and many will be in plume and looking their best.

Ornamental grasses are extremely hardy. I use short varieties in rock gardens and showy containers and plant some of the larger specimens right in the ground, much like a shrub or small tree. All grass varieties are watered and fed the same way as other trees and shrubs. No lawn mowers here; prune them back close to the ground in late winter and watch their undulating beauty return in spring. To get the best plumes on any of these ornamental grasses it is best to give them at least five hours of sun per day during the growing season. Plants not sporting any plumes at this time should be given a good strong dose of my all-natural plant food to encourage new growth.

Dwarf Ivory Feathers Pampas Grass, Cortaderia selloana, is the most famous of the ornamental grasses. Its white plumes are held above the foliage on 6-foot tall stalks. Once established this drought-hardy variety thrives with little water. Because of it’s smaller stature it doesn’t take over like the larger pampas version.

Evergreen Deer Grass, Miscanthus transmorrisonensis, has fluffy beige spikes arching above its shimmering silver-green foliage. It grows quickly to its 3’X3’ size. The foliage remains evergreen well into winter, making it an excellent candidate for mass plantings and for large containers.

Japanese Silver Grass, Miscanthus sinensis, is definitely on my best grass list because of its gracefully arching top and silvery-white plumes. The dark green blades are highlighted with a creamy white stripe that makes this a great accent plant. It works well as a backdrop to Russian sage, salvias, and other medium-height shrubs.

Little Bunny Fountain Grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides, is the shortest of the fountain grasses, growing to about one foot high, displaying fluffy, buff-colored plumes. This grass provides terrific contrast when used among shrubs in rock gardens or in flowering container gardens. In autumn the dark green foliage turns a golden russet.

Blue Dune Lime Grass, Elymus arenarius, has just been added to my yard because it has the most intense silver blue blades and because it is a vigorous spreader that can fill in large areas quickly. In summer it sports slender beige flower spikes that rise a foot above the 2-foot tall foliage. Although this grass is drought resistant, I find it looks best when maintained on a drip system.

I only have column space enough to share one grass photo, but if you want a look at all the plants I’ve mentioned, you’ll find them posted on my web site at wattersonline.com. Look for the ‘photo gallery’ link on the left of the screen and you will see many pictures of ornamental grasses. Some of the photographs are from my collection and some are from other folks in the community.

New garden class videos also are posted on my web site.
One last thought, if you want more in-depth teaching, offered in a university setting, you’re in luck. I am teaching an entire series of garden classes in partnership with Yavapai College. These two-hour classes are held Monday mornings at 9 a.m. They are fully interactive, utilize actual plant examples, and are full of practical local gardening advice that really works. The next $80 series offered is “Gardening in the Mountains of AZ”, class number F081. Call Yavapai College at 928-717-7755 for details and registration. Let them know you want to sign up for Ken Lain's gardening class. I guarantee you'll leave the classes loaded with information and handouts sure to turn thumbs the brightest of green!

Until next week, I’ll see you in the garden center.