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Now that Fall has officially arrived, what's happening in your yards and gardens? What's still blooming? Are there any great colors on trees or shrubs that you'd recommend? Let us know how you are faring during this change of seasons.
Name: Ronnie Southeastern PA~Zone 6 I Love MAM~So Happy Together
Thanks for the new thread Barb
Lovely photo of Sheryl's mums too
It happens in a flash, but the memory of it last forever. It can not be borrowed or stolen, and it is of no earthly good until it is given away. So if in your hurry you meet someone who is too weary to smile, leave him one of yours, for no one needs a smile quite as much as he who has none to give...
Ronnie, you've been doing the lion's share of this while I've been away, so it's the LEAST I can do!!!
Sheryl, those mums coordinate so well in color and just say "FALL" to me! Very pretty - I've never had good luck with mums, but I do enjoy looking at them.
Name: Stormy Valley Forge Pa I Love MAM ~ So Happy Together
Thanks, Barb! Sally, I've had Lobelia do well in both dry and wet soil. Maybe it depends on the variety. The Red Cardinal Flower will do well in either.
Yes, my pineapple sage actually began blooming about 2-3 weeks ago - one of the few times it has bloomed before the hummingbirds departed! This particular plant has overwintered now for about 4 years... I'm sure its days are numbered.
Name: Stormy Valley Forge Pa I Love MAM ~ So Happy Together
Maybe not Barb! I'm so glad that it over wintered for you. I planted them twice here and they wouldn't overwinter. I love them enough to replant them each year!
Mine have overwintered in random fashion in the past, but not for more than 2 years. with Stormy - I like them enough to buy them each year if necessary!
Yes, this one is sort of protected - it's right along a stacked stone wall, which should keep it warmer. I don't do much else to help it survive (like piling on extra mulch). I've had salvias in similar locations that haven't returned. Go figure!
Stormy . In regards to the Ben Franklin tree I was just wondering how any one else was doing with them. They used to list them for zone 6 ,but lately some garden centers have been selling northern grown ones that say zone 5. I bought one last year about 6 feet tall ,but lost the top half after last years tough winter . I did give it wind protection. If you have never seen one look them up . They are a nice compact slow growing tree about 20 ft high and 10 to 15 feet wide . They get very nice fall color. They flower late summer into fall. I thought it was so interesting to see it in flower last year with the leaves starting to change color. A lot of people walking by commented on it. If I lived further down in zone 6 I would have a few of them.
I think you'll like it, Bob. Just know that no matter how early you plant it, OR if it's blooming when you buy it, it really won't bloom until about this time of year for the most part. But it's worth it - the leaves have a heavenly pineapple-y fragrance. There's also a chartreuse/gold-leaved cultivar, which is really pretty.
Name: Stormy Valley Forge Pa I Love MAM ~ So Happy Together
Yes Bob, somewhere in the past year I have been reading about that Ben Franklin tree. I know that it is quite handsome. Do you belong to DG? They have a great group of tree enthusiasts. If you don't, I can go over there and ask for you.
Name: Sally central Maryland slef employed writier
Sheryl-in the summer the Pawpaw wants some shade. I did an article, not really talking about the shade, but there should be links for resources. I think it is U of Kentucky that has lots of pawpaw resources. If you can't find them by googling, LMK and I'll look it up.
"If you bring joy and enthusiasm to everything you do, people will think you're crazy" W. Haelfeli, New Yorker cartoon
The Paw Paw is an understory tree in it's natural state. To successfully grow one in a garden/home environment it's suggested that it be protected from too much sun for it's 1st two years at least. I have two transplanted at a foot tall (from a local wildflower society) six years ago. To simulate a forested over growth canopy I planted Kong sunflowers all around them. The Kongs grow about 10 to 12 feet tall and have many branches with a multitude of blooms. The Kongs provided the shielding shade the first year and self-seeded to do the same job the following year. As a matter of fact they've self seeded every year since and have since moved their concentration to an area around the old doghouse near the back door as well as along the north property border forming a fine living fence/privacy sceen from the neighbors along that border. They fulfilled their shade for the Paw Paw trees admirabily the 1st two years. To have these trees produce fruit you need at least two and it purportedly takes six years before they begin fruit production. I've yet to see any fruit but they've matured into a couple of nice trees. and seem healthy and should bear (hope) this next season. I've ever been intrigued by the idea of their exotic fruit and never seemed to be around any during fruiting season so decided to just grow my own. They are native to this geographic region but hard to locate as most every natural area has been converted into corn and soybean farming operations. I did locate a few along the Illinois River but never seemed to be around during maturing fruit time. I read their window of fruiting excellence is pretty narrow and anything like having any kind of shelf life is pretty non-existant.
Another positive to having Paw Paw trees around (besides exotic fruit) is that they are the host plants for the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly, a super exquisite species of great beauty. I imagine that's the reason one spring when out there touring the backyard to my utter and joyous surprise I noted nearby a butterfly beautiful that I was completely unfamiliar with. A little research revealed it was indeed a Zebra Swallowtail. I'm going to have to delve into some past files to find those pics that I may post them here for your viewing pleasure. That might take a while.
Thanks for all the good information! That's great. The spot I've picked out for them has a huge old wild cherry that is slowly declining, but should last for at least a couple of years. That tree will be just west of the Paw-paws - but it does sound like a great reason to plant sunflowers....
I say Paw-paws - I did a little reading last night and evidently they're dioecious (or not, there seems to be some controversy) and knowing that all of the trees at the nursery are from the same plant, I ordered one from Native Plants so perhaps before my 80th birthday I can try some of the fruit).
But like you, J, here's the real reason I wanted this tree... wish she hadn't picked a white flower to land on, but thems the breaks! This is the only one I've ever seen.
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Sally, I've had Lobelia do well in both dry and wet soil. Maybe it depends on the variety. The Red Cardinal Flower will do well in either.
with Stormy - I like them enough to buy them each year if necessary! 
