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It has begun. The corn has turned. Transforms much of the Illinois landscape into a sea of ​​tans. The soybeans follow with their yellow hues. Combines run through as the heavy smell of plant debris permeates the truck cab.
Bright seas of goldenrod sway in the wind as if a welcome mat had been laid out for autumn. Within the goldenrod mass, you can spot points of purple asters.
I was once told that the colors of Western Illinois University were inspired by the fall colors of the prairie – goldenrod and purple aster.
The entire growing season is a show. Full of “Oohs” and “Awes”. But when the bright green chlorophyll fades, it reveals other pigments hidden in the leaves, nature’s grand finale. Yellow and orange emerge as we can now see the carotenoid pigments. These colors, which were always there in summer, were masked by the green chlorophyll. The bright red and burgundy colors are anthocyanin pigments triggered by the cooler weather to protect plant tissues from pests and freezing temperatures, just long enough for the plant to absorb its energy before the leaves fall.
While the changing colors of the leaves are getting most of the credit, the season for flowering plants is not over yet. Of course, my front yard has the obligatory moms, but what if we get inspired by the changing native landscape around us?
Here are some relatively new flowering plants in my garden that are just showing their show for the year.
Verbena (Vernonia fasciculata)
Instead of purple blooming asters, I decided to plant the purple blooming verbena. The delicate foliage alone is great, but when the days get shorter and the nights cooler, the purple flowers are a wonderful way to end the season. Verbena can spread from seeds, which can be good or bad depending on the type of garden bed. You can prevent seeds from spreading by cutting off the flower heads after the flowers have faded.
Fireworks goldenrod (Solidago rugosa)
I admit that I may have exaggerated a little on the goldenrod this year. This cultivated form of the gold pleated rod is called fireworks. The yellow dainty flowers of this plant are numerous! And at the beginning of autumn are just now starting to open in my full sun bed. Goldenrods in general are rightly known as an aggressive family of plants. Fireworks are described as “well behaved” but will spread outward over time. I’ve found this plant to be somewhat sensitive to arid conditions, at least before it was established.
Zigzag goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)
A goldenrod for anyone looking for a bit of color in the shade in the late season. Zigzag gets its name for the way the flowers zigzag up the stem. True to the call of the goldenrod, it spreads to form a colony. Mine is planted in a forest edge garden.
Bleeding Heart False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)
My first season growing this one and I’m excited. The flower colors red and orange scream for “autumn”! The plant blooms in midsummer, but has continued to bloom and will not stop until frost. The leaves are dark green and the stems are purple. Full sun to partial shade, false sunflowers can spread via seeds. Deadheading can prevent unwanted plants.
I chose these plants for their pollinator benefits, which can be critical late in the season. However, I have to admit that in the nursery all these plants awakened something in me. Perhaps a sense of accomplishment celebrating another growing season in the books with the colors of fall.
Don’t forget a “supporting actor” as I call her. These are companion plants that can contrast either texture or color. Think of grasses like tiny blue stems that help hold tall flowers in height.
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