Did you know fall is one of the best times to plant?

I didn’t before I worked here, but it makes sense. Fall conditions offer less stress for plants—cooler temperatures and good rainfall (typically).

So that’s one reason Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden always has a Fall Plant Sale in addition to the one in spring. The Garden’s volunteers organize these sales, doing everything from propagating plants in the months beforehand to selling them on plant sale days. You can find the volunteers and the plants in a big tent next to the Visitors Center—the income is combined with commission from other vendors and it all goes toward operating costs for the non-profit Garden.

What are some of the items you’ll see at this fall’s sale? All of these items were chosen for their fall color and drought and heat tolerance. They also look great in containers!


Helenium autumnale ‘Dancing Flames’; a perennial that loves sun; grows 3 - 5’ high; spreads 3’; bronze daisy-like flowers in summer; rust-colored fruit for fall.

Phalaris arundinacea ‘Tricolor’; also called ribbon grass; this perennial grows 2 - 3’ tall; has pink-white-green variegated leaves; is a robust grower.

Calamintha nepetoides ‘White Cloud’; this perennial also likes sun; grows 1-2’ high; spreads 1’; has white flowers and is a good substitute for baby’s breath; blooms June - Oct.

Delosperma cooperi ; also known as hardy ice plant; grows 5” high; spreads 12 - 18”; is a perennial; likes sun and flowers summer - fall; is deer resistant (!), drought tolerant.

More at http://www.lewisginter.org/calendar/index.php?eventType=ps&month=9

What are you planting in your garden this fall?

Beth Monroe is public relations director at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

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