How I prolong summer as long as possible

IN THE GARDEN

Labour Day does not signal the end of summer in the garden, even if there have been a couple of cool nights.

Mine is showing no signs of slowing down and is as colourful as ever. I was recently asked if I grew more annuals or more perennials and, after looking around, I realized that in flower beds I have mostly perennials and shrubs with a few annuals as gap fillers. As for pots and planters, a little more than half are annuals and the rest are perennials.

Between them, and a little help from me, I prolong summer as long as possible. I can keep annuals looking fresh by regular deadheading but, although they performed well, a few of the perennial stars of early and midsummer are now in need of a makeover or they need to be hidden.

Plants like astilbe, hosta and heuchera have attractive foliage and only need to have their spent blooms removed to give them a fresh look, while others have leaves that serve only to photosynthesize. My phlox, for instance, that were absolutely brilliant this summer and for a long time resisted mildew, always need serious attention. I tidy them up as well as I can by removing old flower heads, shabby leaves and straggly stems, but I leave healthy foliage alone. Like all perennials, after flowering, they continue to store food in the roots for next year’s show, in much the same way as spring flowering bulbs.

There’s no reason for an attractive garden to bow out early, and this can be avoided by having a selection of late summer, early fall blooming plants. Mums are making an appearance, but I’m not ready for them yet. They’re too much a reminder of fall. Before then there are many other plants that can fill in the gaps, and now is a good time to see what’s available.

By only buying plants in spring, the casual gardener misses out on late-season bloomers simply because they aren’t in flower and are overlooked. Shop now and you’ll see what you’re getting. Most garden centres have sales on and it is the perfect time to be planting perennials.

For late summer flowers, look for Russian sage, asters and echinacea. Sedums have shown off their foliage already and are now beginning to flower. If they’re looking tall and floppy, avoid over-fertilizing them and, in early June next year, clip them back by about a third and you’ll get a stockier plant (same with phlox).

I have false chamomile, similar to an aster, a shy little plant that’s barely noticeable. It’s been tucked away beside the path among more prominent plants. In midAugust it seems to put on a spurt and by the end of the month, it begins to flower. The botanical name is Boltonia asteroides, named for James Bolton, the English botanist. Despite the celestial name it has no connection with asteroids; it simply has a resemblance to asters, the reason it’s also known as false aster. Unlike typical asters, it doesn’t quite reach knee height.

The flowers on my plant are lilac with a yellow centre, but there are others in white, pink and purple. It’s a hardy, reliable plant and a worthwhile addition for late summer and fall colour.

Anemones are also making an appearance now. I have an outstanding white variety called Honorine Jobert that more than makes up for the faded white phlox.

Anemones are a good choice for late summer flowers, but bear in mind they do need their space and need watching as they can be aggressive, if not invasive.

Enjoy Labour Day, and enjoy the continuing summer, in or out of the garden.