The precious fall rains that began in the parched Finger Lakes Region several weeks ago have refreshed our lawns and flowers. It’s that time of the year when most plants and flowers are winding down their blooming season but here in the Finger Lakes, chrysanthemums or just plain mums take center stage.One of my mums is a perennial plant meaning that it returns each year. I am sure that it was all yellow when I planted it four or five years ago but as you can see, most of the flowers are now sort of brown colored with only a few stems of yellow flowers. The other mum is one that I planted this fall. Is it an annual or a perennial plant? We will have to wait till next summer to see.
When September comes around, there is always an abundance of mums which are sold at grocery stores, big box retailers, farmers markets, and roadside green houses. The prices this year have been very reasonable and I think that they (mums) have become a fall signature here in the Finger Lakes. It’s certainly one way for these folks to brighten up the front of their businesses.
An annual flower that has done well for me this year is the Vinca. These plants don’t show up in the greenhouses and plant markets until around the first of July. I stumbled across some Vincas for sale when I replaced my tomato plants the first of July due to deer damage. Most people have plated all of their vegetables and flowers by the 4th of July, but if you can find some Vinca, they are a worthwhile addition to any garden or flower bed. Jeanette loves them because you can cut off a stem of flowers and bring them into the house. They will last a week or more if you change the water daily.
We also have a rose bush planted in the little garden in front of our house. It’s a perennial plant and is really very hardy, surviving our brutal winters. It keeps flowering all summer but unfortunately, the little roses don’t have any smell, and will immediately die if you try to bring them inside.
