Fall Favorites In Bloom Right Now

    In the fall, there are a few favorites in the garden that we always look forward to seeing. Florida doesn’t have a riot of color like the northern states, but we do have some signs of fall here, too. One of these signs is the Cassia bush loaded with yellow blossoms and bees. The bees are busy gathering nectar to the point that the whole bush is humming. Yellow sulfur butterflies use the plant as a host bush, so they are frequent flyers as the nectar buffet as well.
    Another friend of fall is the American beautyberry. The branches that are loaded with purple berries right now are not only native, but offer food to animals and birds. These plants can be used as a focal point and will grow tall if not pruned. To shape prune in the early spring before they sprout leaves. They make a nice tall design element and have little or no weaknesses to pests. They will grow in sun or light shade. They are beautiful cut in a vase with the large leaves removed. Some folks have cooked them into jam. You have to strain the juice through cheesecloth to remove seeds and skins of the tiny berries. We just enjoy their beauty in the garden.
    Last, but not least, is the long-lived marigold. We are still enjoying a bounty of pumpkin-colored blooms from some plants we put in the ground in the spring. They have multiplied by the thousands, have taken no care, and provide a beautiful array of colors from bright yellow to rusty red. The marigolds that are going to seed now with dried heads can be plucked and then saved for spring. If you replant the dried seeds from the flower heads, you can grow a whole new batch of flowers for your garden next year.
    The marigolds last well cut in a vase and make a beautiful addition to any fall bouquet.
    Don’t forget the Master Gardening Sale at the Lake County Agriculture Extension office and Discovery Gardens this Saturday, October 23 from 8 a.m. until noon. We hope you will all attend that special sale which is also a chance to learn from those who are master gardeners. The public is welcome at the Master Gardener Sale which will include Florida native species, butterfly and hummingbird attractants, edible plants & many more. The Ag Center is located at 1951 Woodlea Rd. In Tavares.
    Now is the time to add pine straw to spent summer’s spent beds. Pull up the overgrown summer flowers and cover over with pine straw for a subdued beauty in the yard. Letting the beds rest is good for the soil and gives you a break from weeding.
    Keep those pictures and ideas coming. We love to share the fun in the garden with others. Please send me a picture of what is in your garden this week to hollynewby1@aol.com. or drop a photo with your name on it by our office at 131 N. Central Avenue. Keep growing…