GARDEN FANATIC: The onset of autumn’s second spring

“These … days of autumn … are beautiful as days can be.” – Robert Frost

“Beauty for some provides escape … (like) autumn sunsets exquisitely dying.” – Aldous Huxley

It’s true … autumn officially begins next week. We return to the season that is not only considered the “second spring,” but is also one of the most ideal times for planting.

Although a mild quiescence, rather than rapid growth, follows September and October, these are excellent months to complete the planting left undone due to summertime activities. Inspired by cooler temperatures and beautiful days, we can approach gardening with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.

September chores include preparing the garden for planting. Planter mix should be added to the soil, along with Gro-Power and Gypsite. The garden will then be ready for planting of bulbs and perennials. I also recommend mulching the remainder of the garden and keeping roses well watered and fertilized.

One of my fall pleasures is shopping for bulbs with Catharine — she reminds me to refrigerate our tulips and hyacinths for later planting. Paper white narcissus will soon be sprouting on our deck, and anemone, iris and ranunculus are being planned for the front bed.

Garden enthusiast Mary Kate Saunders explains that the autumn is the best time to plant for several reasons.

“First,” she says, “temperatures are cooling, yet the soil retains the warmth received from the summer. This allows the roots of plants to establish quickly, without the need of constant attention. Second, if the Santa Anas don’t drive off the storm fronts, we can normally expect some rain, reducing the quantity of water needed from either the sprinklers or the faucet. Finally, blooming plants of this season are the loveliest of the entire gardening year.”

“You have to plan,” Catharine adds. “Plan your fall garden and see it shape in your mind’s eye. Then just do it!”

And so we will …

Along with bulbs, there are several possibilities for fall planting. Over the last few years, Dipladenia amoena has become a real landscape pleaser. It is a compact shrub with lovely pink flowers, twining stems and dark green, glossy leaves.

A consistent bloomer much of the year, Dipladenia merits your consideration in flowering beds, containers and hanging baskets. Plant in rich soil and provide full sun in Laguna and partial shade inland.

Although sometimes difficult to locate, one of the most rewarding of the climbing roses is the single, blood-red bloom of Altissimo. Very fragrant and excellent as a cut flower, this rose blooms freely throughout the fall. Its dark-green foliage is particularly resistant to disease. Look for the salmon-pink blooms of America and creamy-white Sally Holmes as worthy alternatives.

Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) is flowering now and into the winter in many different colors, particularly yellow, red and purple. Bushy to 4 feet, it needs little water on the coast. A valuable perennial for your garden, many of the sages are prolific bloomers and range from ground covers to shrubs.

Annual color is happening — pansy, dianthus and chrysanthemum have arrived at your favorite nursery just in time for autumn!

There is still plenty of time to plant all of the other fall flowers as well. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) offers colorful displays of red, mauve, apricot, yellow and white flowers. Planted in full sun, they provide wonderful massed color for garden beds, along drives or in containers.

Our dazzling Laguna sunsets began last week. Their intensity and range of color never fails to amaze me. Although the burdens of life can sometimes be overwhelming, the lure of the autumn garden is a welcome distraction. Its beauty, filled with opulence of bloom and richness of color, provides a welcomed escape from the occasional absurdities of reality. See you next time.