It has been a brutal summer in many parts of the country, with long streaks of triple-digit temperatures being recorded throughout the nation. Cooler fall weather will be a welcome change, and gardeners will be itching to get back outdoors before they’re forced into “winter hibernation.”
Proven Winners encourages retailers and consumer to indulge their “fall fever” with season extenders.
“Just because summer is over, it doesn't mean it's time to put away the garden tools and call it a season,” said Ryan McGrath, marketing specialist with Proven Winners. “Fall is a great opportunity for retailers to educate consumers and encourage them to enjoy their gardens as long as possible. We'd like to see people visiting garden centers into the fall months.”
Here are a few varieties the folks at Proven Winners recommend as hot season extenders:
Hibiscus SUMMERIFIC Series
- Hibiscus SUMMERIFIC ‘Berrylicious’ PPAF CPBRAF
- Hibiscus SUMMERIFIC var. ‘Cranberry Crush’ PPAF CPBRAF
- Hibiscus SUMMERIFIC ‘Summer Storm’ PP20443 CPBRAF (pictured)
Offering double or more the bloom time of older hibiscus varieties, these stunning hybrids from Walters Gardens can be the focal point of a colorful landscape from midsummer into fall. Each variety in the series offers something unique. ‘Berrylicious’ produces gigantic 8- to 9-inch, mauve lavender flowers on dense plants; ‘Cranberry Crush’ is a short, compact selection with stunning scarlet-red blossoms; ‘Summer Storm’ offers fabulous purple-black foliage as a dramatic backdrop for its lighter pink flowers. Height: 3-5 feet (depending on variety) Zone 4-9
Proven Winners Hardy Ornamental Grasses
- Panicum v. ‘Cheyenne Sky’ PPAF (pictured)
- Panicum v. ‘Dust Devil’ PPAF
- Pennisetum a. ‘Desert Plains’ PP20751
Nothing says fall like the feathery plumes and rich color of ornamental grasses. New to the Proven Winners collection this year are three hardy grasses, which offer beautiful fall color, a better habit, and improved garden performance over comparable selections. Height: 3- to 4.5-feet (depending on variety), Zone 4-9 (Panicums) Zone 5-9 (Pennisetum)
Little Lime Hardy Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
A new dwarf form of the ever popular ‘Limelight’ hydrangea, Little Lime sports the same great flowers and coloration as ‘Limelight’ but in a smaller package. At one-third the size of traditional hardy hydrangeas, this new variety fits well into any landscape. Summer flowers open soft green and turn pink and burgundy in fall. Blooms every year. Hardy in zones 3-9.
Lil Miss Sunshine Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
This cross between Petit Bleu and Sunshine Blue delivers shiny yellow foliage all summer long, and has a neat, compact habit. Abundant blue flowers appear in late summer. Sunny yellow leaves contrast with the deep amethyst blue flowers in late summer. Season long color. Compact. Deer resistant. Hardy in zones 5 – 9.
Flirtation Orange Diascia
This exceptional autumn-colored beauty loves cool weather. The vibrant orange blooms of this Flirtation are large and flat with a layering of flower upon flower that creates a stunning bloom display. The sturdy, semi-trailing habit makes it perfect for fall-inspired hanging baskets or containers.
Superbells Calibrachoa hybrids
Superbells are a perfect choice to usher in the fall season with their warm autumn color choices and their superb performance in cool weather. Plant a container or hanging basket with one brilliant yellow, red, orange, or plum variety—or mix and match them in containers or the landscape. With growth habits that range from the small and compact to the cascading, Superbells create endless possibilities in the garden and a new feel for a new season.
Visit Proven Winners online for more ideas and inspiration.