Summer has most certainly been and gone, but this doesn’t mean your garden has to look as dreary as the weather. October is a fantastic month to get planting bulbs and growing trees, and there are still some flowers you can pot and put along your flower beds. There are many types of flowers that love the colder temperatures, with such plants including; bulbs, cold weather perennials and cold weather annuals.
Bulbs for Spring and bulbs that love to come out in fall
If you like to see your bulbs springing to life when the weather begins to get warmer, now is the best time to planting your Spring bulbs. The reason for planting in October is because the weather is still fairly warm giving the plants time to grow before the temperatures hit freezing. On the other hand, in Spring you can choose to plant some late flowering bulbs that love to bloom in the fall, such as Oriental, some day lilies and saffron hyacinths. However, if frost is forecasted it is best to cover day lilies so the flowers don’t disintegrate.
Cold weather perennials
Chrysanthemums are the best-known fall perennial flower and can now been seen in colours of purple, burgundy, red, and pale orange. You also have the choice of perennial asters that attract migrating butterflies and hummingbirds, dianthus, rudbeckia, primroses and forget-me-nots, all of which will tolerate light frosts. These plants love to grow in the summer months and then later bloom in the fall season, breathing fresh life into your garden.
Cold weather annuals
Marigolds, petunias, zinnias, cosmos and calendula are just a few annual plants that do well in October. However, pansies are the ever present fall flower in an array of colours from purple to orange and yellow. Most annuals can continue to flower into early November depending on the weather conditions as long as they are covered on nights when temperatures can fall below freezing.
Planting your fall flowers
The best spot to plant your October annuals and perennials is where there is plenty of sun (when it decides to come out) yet is protected against overpowering winds. It is also important to plant the flowers away from shrubs and trees where their leaves may become overwhelming to the plants.