- Aug. 14, 2023
Late Bloomers: End of Season Perennials and Annuals
It’s no secret that British Columbia has one of the best climates in Canada, creating a haven for various plant species to flourish year-round. In this blog, we’ll explore the charm of late-season blooms, with a focus on annual and perennial varieties that are sure to add vibrant splashes of colour to your garden well into the late fall.
The Best Late Summer and Early Fall Flowers for Powell River
Whether you’re giving your borders a quick refresh or going all-out with a few late-season container gardens, these gorgeous picks will keep your landscape packed full of colourful blooms even as the cooler fall weather rolls in.
Perennials: Enduring Beauty
Perennials are the backbone of any well-designed garden, and Powell River’s mild coastal climate provides the perfect conditions for many varieties to thrive during the late summer and early fall. Here are a few of our favourite late-season perennial picks:
1. Astilbes
Known for their feathery plumes, astilbes bring a touch of class to any garden. These perennials prefer partial shade and thrive in moist soil, making them a popular choice for woodland settings or around water features. In late summer, their blooms showcase a myriad of colours, including pink, red, purple, and white.
2. Japanese Anemones
With their delicate pink and white blooms held aloft on tall, slender stems, adding a few Japanese anemones to your garden is a fantastic way to bring a bit of ethereal charm to your landscape this August. These stunning perennials thrive in dappled sunlight and well-drained soil, making them an excellent choice for late-season borders or mixed flower beds.
3. Sedums
Sedums are the perfect choice for any gardeners seeking a low-maintenance perennial. These succulent plants are drought-tolerant and provide a burst of late-season colour with their striking shades of pink, red, and copper. Sedums also attract local pollinators and can be grown as groundcovers or in rock gardens and containers.
4. Fall Asters
A staple of late-season gardens, fall asters produce a profusion of daisy-like blooms that butterflies and other pollinators simply cannot get enough of. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil and fill your garden beds and containers with vibrant shades of purple, blue, pink, and white.
5. Russian Sage
Offering a touch of blue-grey foliage and spiky lavender-blue flowers, Russian sage is a standout late-summer perennial that every Powell River garden needs to have in bloom! It thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil, adding a sense of airiness and fragrance to your landscape.
Annuals: Ephemeral Delights
While perennials provide long-lasting beauty, annuals come and go quickly in a flurry of colour. Annual plants complete their life cycle within one growing season, but what they lack in longevity, they more than make up for with their exuberant display of blooms. For a late-season landscape full of kaleidoscopic colour, look no further than these annual picks:
1. Zinnias
Beloved for their bold, vibrant flowers, available in a plethora of shades such as reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks. These sun-loving annuals bloom abundantly and attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden.
2. Marigolds
Known for their warm, cheerful colours, marigolds thrive in Powell River’s late-season sun. Their golden, orange, and red blooms add a touch of autumnal beauty to any landscape. Marigolds are also well-known for their ability to deter pests with their strong fragrance.
3. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are prized for their edible flowers and unique lily pad-shaped leaves. They come in various shades, including fiery oranges and reds. These easy-growing annuals can trail or climb, adding versatility to your garden design.
4. Snapdragons
With their distinctive “snapping” blooms, snapdragons bring a nostalgic charm to any late summer garden. Available in a wide range of colours, from soft pastels to vibrant hues, snapdragons add vertical interest to both flower beds and containers.
5. Ageratums
Ageratums, or ‘floss flowers,’ create soft mounds of fluffy blue, pink, and white blooms. These heat-tolerant annuals make great filler plants in mixed flower arrangements and are also fantastic additions to borders and containers.
Designing with Late Summer and Early Fall Blooms
Incorporating a diverse selection of perennials and annuals into your late-season garden ensures a continuous succession of colour and interest throughout the late summer and early fall months. Here are some of our favourite design tips to help you create a stunning late-season garden:
- Layered Plantings: Arrange taller perennials and annuals towards the back of your borders, gradually transitioning to shorter plants at the front to create depth and visual interest.
- Colour Harmony: Choose a floral colour palette that compliments the mood of your landscape. Soft pastels evoke a serene atmosphere, while bold, vibrant blooms are best for creating a lively and energetic garden.
- Pollinator-Friendly: Integrate pollinator-friendly native plants into your garden to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. This enhances the biodiversity of your landscape and promotes a healthier local ecosystem.
- Containers and Hanging Baskets: Use containers and hanging baskets to showcase your favourite annuals or to add splashes of colour to patios and balconies.
- Garden Maintenance: Regularly deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms and maintain your garden’s overall health and appearance.
By incorporating a thoughtful selection of late-blooming flowers into your garden, you can create a stunning outdoor space that embraces the changing seasons with style. At Mother Nature, we look forward to helping you plant a garden that tells a story of nature’s ever-changing palette. Stop by today for help with all your gardening needs—no matter the season!
