Hi everyone!
I hope October has been treating you well. It’s currently 62 degrees and sunny here in Grand Rapids, Michigan – with the last few days barely getting passed fifty degrees. Here in the Midwest, the weather changes almost as often as the clock changes; I know this is a bold statement but if you know, you know. I can never keep up with the ups and downs of Michigan weather, and this year is no exception.
Fall is the time for new beginnings. I feel more of a fresh start on September first than I do on New Years Day. Maybe this has to do with the many years of school starting at this time of year and the first day always feeling like a new era in life, or maybe the person we were a few months prior begins their own annual death and rebirth and it reminds us that we are not alone in this journey of life. When the leaves begin to change and the smell of wet and decaying plants encompass your colorful neighborhood, there is still a feeling of hope. Being outside in the October sunshine has the power to boost anyone’s dopamine: the breeze and autumnal sentiment begging you to come outdoors and enjoy the last of what the warmth has to offer you. Between the fall clean ups, farmers markets, and creating a pumpkin porch, planting a perennial garden is a staple of the season.
Why do we plant native perennials in the fall? What is a perennial? Why am I even talking about planting when it’s getting cold outside? All will be answered in Floral Bar fashion today.
Perennials. We love them because of their “shelf life,” if you will. Compared to plants that complete their cycle annually, perennials tend to live for three years or more. There are exceptions to this, as there are with most things, but this is the main difference between the two.
Since perennials die and have a rebirth in spring, plants like this grow best in cooler temperatures. We talk about bulbs and perennials so much this time of year because of their longevity. Just like anything, the more you tend to and take care of your perennials the longer they will last. The best time to plant perennials is in the spring or the fall mainly due to the heat of the summer making it difficult for the plants to establish themselves. The cooler temperatures and warmer soil contribute to a strong and robust root development, giving themselves a head start for a bloom in spring. Since fall is the time of year where plants and trees die or go dormant, there is less competition for soil and nutrients which contributes to the seasonal reasons behind the success of perennials in cooler temperatures. Pollination is the largest source for the spread of plants and different species, and having fall plants in your garden create a source of nectar and pollen during this time of year.
Here's some insight from our CEO Leah: "Planting in this cool weather is preferred. Even a light frost will not negatively affect your plantings. I've planted bulbs in the frozen ground before with compost at hand. The only issue is when the ground freezes solid, which makes it very difficult to plant. Bulbs do not like to be water logged, which is why we amend it with organic composts. We plant each bulb with the pointed end facing up. Bulbs planted upside down will still flower, but they reach for the light and their bloom will be less prolific. Bulbs also like cool temperatures, so they need the dormancy to produce their stunning flowers."
At Floral Bar, our goal is to make your home, event, or business beautiful through nature regardless of the time of year. We have plenty of perennials to add to your garden that will optimize your soil and create a marvelous spring landscape after the cold months to come. We’ve planted Sanguisorba Plum Drops, Geum Tequila Sunrises, and Allium Windy Citys (as well as sooo many others, you wouldn’t believe) this fall to hone in on the colors of the season, and a chance for rebirth in the spring.
Plum Drops are a hardy perennial that are easy to grow is most soils. The name comes from the color which is a deep plum, shaped liked small fingers on a long stem. Tequila Sunrises are remincent of the crushable drink with the same name ~ dainty yellow flowers with a pinkish, orangeish outer hue on the petals. Yellow is such an underrated fall color - it brightens up the darker shades and brings a sense of sunshine to the cooler months. Allium Windy City perennials are lilac purple buds that open to an orchid color that look like mini fireworks. They're great additions to a fresh or dried arrangement, and I LOVE purple and yellow as complimentary colors.
As humans, we grow and change with the seasons, and the wildlife and plants around us are part of this cycle of life. We change our clothes and style, our hair and house decor. We also change the plants in our home and garden to reflect this neverending rebirth we experience. Consider this a sign to clean out a closet, donate a bag of clothes to charity, or simply begin your hibernation rituals in a more intentional way as you enter this coming death and rebirth of who you are.
Contact us for a quote on your fall perennial garden, and follow us on Instagram for more updates and photos!
Have a wonderful week - see you on Sunday!
Xoxo
Alyssa
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