Building a Floral Bridge to Fall

By Dan Heims, Terra Nova Nurseries
Photos courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries

Happy almost fall, campers! Yes, we are in that weird transition between summer and fall. Many annuals have dropped to the wayside and faded, perennials have given their all, but now stay depleted…Except…for a select few that define this middle season. It is required that these plants stand out and put on a show. Two dragons lead the pack; a Crocosmia and a Nepeta that both embrace and echo or set off perennials like Heuchera and Echinacea. Do not discount the Sedum! Sedum ‘Marina’s’ sky blue foliage is a perfect counterpoint to orange Heleniums, Echinacea and Heuchera as well. Gone are the old Sedum days when plants like Sedum ‘Autumn Moon’ fall over and others, especially the browns were just a few live leaves on top and junk stems and dried leaves below.  Stated quite simply, “Terra Nova has turned the tables on this genus.” Plants are now better branched, fuller, heavier blooming, and have foliage from tip to bottom. Who has not heard of The High Line? It is New Yorks’s number one attraction with eight million visitors annually. Designed by Piet Oudolf and built by people like Pat Cullina. It was Pat who alerted me to the desirability of Nepeta ‘Blue Dragon.’  He had ordered a small lot and was impressed by the floriferousness and strength of the plant. Now that’s high praise! Come have a peek!

Sedum 'Marina'

Sedum 'Marina'

 The bluest S. telephium you have ever seen. You will be incredibly pleased with its lovely oblong, blue-grey leaves that tint purple in summer, its low mounding habit, and its amazing crown formation. Additionally, it displays lovely rose-pink flowers in late summer. The rose-pink flowers rise to eighteen inches high on an upright but compact habit, twenty-four inches wide by twelve inches high - right when you need a refreshing ice-blue view. Drought tolerance and a super pollinator for honeybees who are losing a lot of nectar sources by this time. Enjoy!

Nepeta 'Blue Dragon'

Nepeta Blue Dragon

Our selection of this catmint has huge blue flowers, which upon close inspection, do look like blue dragon heads! Compared to the species, 'Blue Dragon' is upright and compact (rather than floppy) with larger, showier flowers. Great to mix with late summer and fall-blooming perennials. Hardy in USDA Zones five to nine. Takes a sunny exposure, good drainage and likes to dry out between waterings. The blue flowers rise to thirty-six inches high on an upright but compact habit, twenty-four inches wide by twelve inches high. Bloomtime is June through September! Excellent in a mid to tall sunny border or large container.

Crocosmia NOVA® ‘Gold Dragon’

Crocosmia NOVA® ‘Gold Dragon

A majestic and powerful presence that breathes glowing hot color into any garden. This large and impressive Crocosmia creates a dramatic statement. Full and upright habit puts on a huge show of gilded golden blooms. Each flower stalk is an arching spray full of long lasting, bright shining star-like blooms. Long-lived, forms multiple crowns quickly. Hardy in USDA Zones seven to nine. The flowers rise to forty inches high on an upright but compact habit, forty inches wide by forty inches high. Bloomtime is late June through August. Shorter and more and larger flowers than ‘Lucifer.’ Great for mixed beds, sunny banks, borders.

Dan Heims is an award-winning author who lectures throughout the world. He was recently honored by The American Horticultural Society with the Luther Burbank Breeding Award, as well as the Perennial Plant Association’s Award of Merit. He was also honored in receiving the Royal Horticultural Society’s Reginald Cory Cup for advancements in breeding. You may contact Dan at [email protected] Questions on culture and care or availability for a speaking engagement can be found at this email.

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