Hello GPODers!
Right now we’re getting a change of tempo from the autumn foliage and late-season flowers we’ve been seeing a number of recently from northern gardens. We’re visiting Charlona Ingram in Houston, Texas, who has a backyard completely crammed with vibrant blooms and plush inexperienced foliage when the tough climate of summer season has subsided.
Hello GPOD – My identify is Charlona, and I backyard in Houston, Texas. Fall is likely one of the greatest instances of the yr for my backyard. If the crops can survive our clay soil, hurricanes, floods, summer season droughts, and excessive humidity, we’re rewarded with an extended rising season. It’s nearly December, and we’re nonetheless having fun with a lot of fall blooms, and generally may have blooms all winter until we get a freeze. Hope you benefit from the backyard!
First up in Charlona’s assortment of gorgeous bloomers is a staple in lots of southern gardens, Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha, Zones 9–11). The spiky foliage on this plant is such an exquisite distinction to the spires of delicate, gentle purple flowers.
Charlona’s backyard is definitely trying lush and tropical this fall. A shiny pink bougainvillea brings a daring pop of coloration to the mattress and a staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum, Zones 9–13) is all the time a captivating plant to admire. I really like that Charlona selected to hold the fern, the varied methods you’ll be able to mount these crops are another excuse they’re so attention-grabbing.
Celosia is a well-liked plant to develop as an annual in summer season containers within the north. Their out-of-this-world varieties and fuzzy texture makes it an eye-catcher in nearly any mixture. Within the south, these beauties may be grown as a young perennial and you’ll find varieties that aren’t as frequent in nurseries up north. These pink ombré blooms look to be quite a lot of plumed cockscomb (C. argentea, Zones 10–11).
All of Charlona’s crops are spectacular to take pleasure in shut up, nevertheless it’s much more spectacular once you zoom out and get to see her mixtures of coloration. Hummingbird bush (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii, Zones 7–10), purple porterweed (Stachytarpheta frantzii, Zones 9–11), vinca, and Gregg’s mistflower (Conoclinium greggii, Zones 7–10) are a chic mixture and excellent rainbow of coloration.
Whereas the flowers in Charlona’s backyard are likely to steal the present, she is just not neglecting the necessity for foliage in her beds. Turnera presents some suneshine yellow, and pink vinca flowers pop, however shiny foxtail ferns (Asparagus densiflorus, Zones 9–11), and silvery Texas sage (Salvia coccinea, Zones 8–10) foliage provides this plant a complete new degree of curiosity.
Vines in Charlona’s backyard make an abnormal picket fence one thing magical. Extra shiny yellow turnera creeps alongside the underside and pairs completely with a blue tumpet vine (Thunbergia battiscombei, Zones 9–11) clinging to a publish.
Hibiscus are well-liked backyard flowers throughout the nation, however Charlona has some actually attractive specimens in her backyard. Fringed hibiscus (Hibiscus schizopetalus, Zones 10–11) is so distinctive, the dainty petals and lengthy, trailing stamen undoubtedly breaks the mildew of the extra frequent varieties. One other southern backyard basic, shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeeana, Zones 9–11), has a flurry of blooms within the background.
One other hibiscus with a extra “basic” type, lemon yellow rosemallow (Hibiscus calyphyllus, Zones 9–11) nonetheless stuns with it’s crinkly, glowing yellow petals and darkish, high-contrast heart.
One other view of the mattress we noticed a wider view of above. On this shot, Charlona provides us a greater view of the fantastic, worm-like spires of purple porterweed. This pollinator magnet is supported by vinca, foxtail fern, blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata, Zones 9–11).
Lastly, a plant with a really apt identify, firespike (Odontonema strictum, Zones 8–11) flowers are of burst of shiny, shiny crimson from a backdrop of vivid inexperienced leaves.
Thanks a lot for sharing your late-season backyard with us, Charlona! I sincerely hope we get to see your attractive plantings once more, and that the season brings you a lot extra flowers for months to come back.
Have a backyard you’d prefer to share?
Have photographs to share? We’d like to see your backyard, a selected assortment of crops you like, or an exquisite backyard you had the prospect to go to!
To submit, ship 5-10 photographs to [email protected] together with some details about the crops within the photos and the place you took the photographs. We’d love to listen to the place you’re situated, how lengthy you’ve been gardening, successes you’re pleased with, failures you realized from, hopes for the long run, favourite crops, or humorous tales out of your backyard.
Have a cell phone? Tag your photographs on Fb, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you obtain the GPOD by e mail but? Join right here.
Tremendous Gardening Really useful Merchandise
Nationwide Wildlife Federation®: Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Different Yard Wildlife, Expanded Second Version (Artistic Home-owner) 17 Tasks & Step-by-Step Directions to Give Again to Nature
Tremendous Gardening receives a fee for gadgets bought by way of hyperlinks on this website, together with Amazon Associates and different affiliate promoting packages.
From the Nationwide Wildlife Federation, the most important U.S. nonprofit conservation group, with 6 million members and 51 state and territorial affiliated organizations. 17 step-by-step tasks that everybody can do collectively make getting your loved ones again to nature straightforward, academic, and enjoyable. Over 200 coloration photographs of yard wildlife habitats and the big variety of creatures they entice, plus step-by-step photographs and illustrations for household tasks. Study wildlife-friendly practices for gardening, panorama design, supplemental feeders, birdbaths, nesting locations, and extra. Discover ways to entice yard pollinators, from bees and butterflies to beetles, bats, and hummingbirds
Get your backyard licensed by the Nationwide Wildlife Federation’s Backyard for Wildlife(TM) program by following the included certification software guidelines.

Corona® Multi-Function Steel Mini Backyard Shovel
Tremendous Gardening receives a fee for gadgets bought by way of hyperlinks on this website, together with Amazon Associates and different affiliate promoting packages.
Longer Service Life: The blade of this spherical small shovel is fabricated from carbon metal, which may successfully enhance the hardness by excessive temperature quenching, and the floor has anti-rust coating to keep away from rusting. Within the technique of use when encountering laborious objects won’t bend and deformation.
Sturdy Construction: The small backyard shovel with D-handle, ergonomically designed grip can improve the grip of the hand when utilizing, the deal with is fabricated from robust fiberglass, won’t bend and break below heavy strain. Fast Digging: Effectively-made digging shovel has a pointy blade, and the spherical shovel head is designed to simply penetrate the soil and lower rapidly whereas digging to reinforce your work effectivity.

Spear & Jackson 4930FZ Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner
Tremendous Gardening receives a fee for gadgets bought by way of hyperlinks on this website, together with Amazon Associates and different affiliate promoting packages.
Telescopic tree pruner with SK5 carbon metal blade which stays sharper for longer. Variable size telescopic deal with extends as much as 92 Inch (2340mm). Lopper for slicing branches as much as 1.2″ (30mm). 13 inch (330mm) noticed is right for slicing thicker branches. Equipped with an extended twine and pull-action deal with. A part of the Razorsharp Benefit assortment, the plain alternative for gardeners who demand and anticipate exact, highly effective efficiency. “Develop Your Personal” Nice British Rising 2020 Award Winners.