Perennial Plants You Can Count On

 By: Beth Riley

Page 3

Volume 1, Issue 1

Fall has just begun.  The days are getting shorter and colder, and many plants and animals are preparing for a long winter.  However, not all of our green life in Hampton Roads will be preparing for a long winter of slumber.  For those looking to keep their yards bright and beautiful over the fall, there are some native plants that may just do the trick.

· Anise hyssop is a native perennial that attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.  They have a light licorice fragrance, and it may reseed.  It blooms in the summer and fall, with purple, pink and blue blooms.  It requires full sunlight, which is good for un-shaded yards.  It requires fairly well-drained soil between watering.  In addition, it is edible and makes good tea.

· Purple Calico Aster, which can be commonly found at many garden centers, is another wonderful native

· plant.  It attracts birds and butterflies, and grows rather aggressively.

The blooms are lavender, and will bloom in fall in full sun.  Like the anise, they also require fairly drained soil.

· Goldenrod is a native plant that comes in both aggressive and non aggressive varieties.  In fall, it blooms golden.  This plant is ideal for people with allergies, as it will not cause irritation.  Like many of the prior plants it attracts birds and butterflies.

· For those who want something more substantial, witch-hazel is an evergreen shrub which blooms yellow, red, or orange in winter.  They have unique, lacy blooms and can grow up to five feet tall.

· Coreopsis is a native plant that attracts butterflies and goldfinches.  This is a wonderful seaside plant, and works well in alkaline soil.   It does well in full to partial sun,

and blooms yellow in the spring and summer.

· Rhododendron is a native plant with beautiful white, pink, red, or purple blooms that come in spring.  They do well in partial sun to shade, and they are a beautiful ornamental plant.  They prefer acidic soils, and they prefer well drained soils.  It is important to include mulch where the plant grows, as it will aid in good establishment.

These are only some of the possible plants that may grace your yard this fall.  Hopefully, these suggestions, all which can be found at local nurseries, will help make your yard more beautiful and green.   

Calico Aster

Coreopsis

Rhododendron

Originally, Japanese Rain Chains were called “Kusari-Doi.”  They are a beautiful and alternative way to replace the normal rainwater gutter pipe that most people have on their home.  Japanese Rain Chains are made of copper, and they look like linked funnels with a hole.  They have a weight in the bottom to keep it from swinging.  By placing a decorative flower pot at the bottom to catch the rain, they allow for the homeowner to capture the excess rain water.  These gardens can be used for many purposes.  Rather than using city water to water your

Japanese Rain Chains and Water Conservation

By Spencer Rowe

 

air first, and have the opportunity to evaporate, it will have a better chance of directly permeating into the soil.  This means that less water will be wasted due to evaporation.  Another thing to keep in mind when ever you water you plants, do so in the morning or the evening, the cooler times of day.  Without so much heat, there will be less evaporation.     

Along with helping to conserve water, these practices can cut the costs of household water bills.  Use these ideas to conserve water and money.  

plants, you can use the water that flows from the rain chains.  This water can also be used to bath pets, wash vehicles, and even water the lawn. 

Another way to conserve water would be by utilizing drip irrigation.  Drip hoses are long garden hoses with small holes along its length.  The hose should be place either on the lawn or in flower beds, close to the roots of the plants.  When connected to a spigot, water will flow through the hose, and emerge through the holes along its length.  Because the water will not exposed to the 

Japanese Rain Chain 

Soaker Hoses