By Gail Jacobs
Master Gardener

Fall has certainly made its presence known this past week and it was not a big surprise.  The weatherman had warned us of possible frost and with the frost, we get a reprieve from the daily watering.  All of my annuals had bloomed their little hearts out all summer long and are now destined for the compost pile to return to the earth.   The planters will get some attention when I will snip all of the dead flowers.  The tall grasses in the same pots grew to about three foot tall and sway just outside the window those I will miss so they can stay till the snow flies!   Next on my list will be adding the white marigolds to that compost pile along with all the leaves from the gladiolus.  I did rescue the gladiolus bulbs to replant next year in someone else’s garden.  The raccoons kept disturbing the glad bulbs during the first few weeks and it was a ritual to replant them nearly every evening.  No critter bothered the marigolds and tall zinnias both will return to the bed next year along with some spider plants.

After most of the fall cleanup is done, I will turn my attention to next spring planning.   This will consist of the purchase of two “Mortimer Sackler” (see below) David Austin climbing roses one for each side of our bedroom door.  These will arrive next spring as bare root plants so I must prepare their new home now by digging two deep holes.  In addition to the roses, I will need to build a new red wood trellis for them to climb on.  The trellis will go up both sides of the door then over the top similar to this photo.  Trellises are easy to build but leaning over the assembly is hard on my back.  I have built several trellises that are about 4’x8’ I paint the legs with a water repelling material before mounting them in the ground; I use a square and cut off saw very simple.  Just wear gloves the redwood is prone to splinters!

While you are dreaming and designing your next yard scape consider this favorite of mine – Hellebores a very hardy plant with saw tooth leaves that last through the winter then blooming very early in gorgeous water color shades of  pinks, wines, greens and creams.  They like shady, moist, rich soil and if they are happy will reward you with many babies.  Another favorite are peonies particularly the tree peony type.  Shown here is a single bloom larger then my outstretched hand.

I feel that if you truly admire or desire a plant that you can figure out where to put it even if it is in a pot!