I like marigolds because they last longer and look just as good as mums. They add alot to Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations too. I bought three pots of them last week that had four plants to a pot. I brought them home, used my pruning saw to cut the roots apart for each plant and put them in my front border to fill in some holes from new plants that failed this year. (Master Gardeners are going to tour my garden in two weeks, so I know what you mean.) The plants didn't even offer to droop a little bit. They'll fill in in a couple of weeks, but they were blooming when I planted them and it's amazing what a difference they made.

I was at Lowe's on the week-end and they had some spectacular coneflowers that were blooming. I would think they'd do well in the cooler weather that is coming (I hope soon!). Alot of the garden centers around here are beginning to get in some fresh stock. Any warm weather annuals that are available will bloom on until Thanksgiving or even a bit later here. I think that's a pretty good return for the money. It's still entirely too warm to put out cool weather annuals like pansies, snaps, and dianthus around here.

Donna, after reading your response, I went to Lowe's and picked up 5 of the gallon pots of coneflowers that are loaded with buds. I also picked up some nice asters and pots of mums. They had homestead verbena, snaps, too. Their container pots of dahlias look great! I can't put those out in full sun, but I may go back and pick up some for the porches.

Thanks for your suggestions! I've got so many gardening folks coming to the house this month.

Cameron

In our cool Ontario climate, the fall is the time for sweet alyssum to look its best, also nasturtiums, snapdragons and pansies. These annuals tolerate really cool weather and stick around till a killing "white" frost. Asters and mums are nice too, but I don't consider them annuals.

I picked up some snapdragons. I've tried sweet alyssum at a previous house and it didn't do well. However, I have better soil here so maybe I should try those again.

Thanks

Make sure you keep an eye on the snaps. My past experience is they like the same conditions as pansies, so it could be too hot for their liking right now. That, of course, depends on your weather. You're further north than I am (and with hurricane weather coming too), so you might do fine. Post some pictures of your garden, if you get a chance! :)

I'm keeping the snaps in the shade right now. I've been busy planting perennials...that got 5" of rain today from Tropical Storm Hanna. All is well, thankfully.

I have lots and lots of garden photos in my gardening blog. Here's a mid-July shot of my front outer garden (meaning outside the fence and deer resistant).

Cameron {{gwi:22175}}From July 2008

Here is a link that might be useful: my garden

Gorgeous, Cameron. You really are a gifted designer.

Thanks...I don't know about gifted! It's been a lot of trial and error.

Primroses are a winter blooming favorite in full sun here. Al

Hey, Donna! Remember that discussion about annuals and perennials elsewhere in this forum? LOL

About 1/2 of the lovely plants cited in this thread are true perennial plants, not annuals. ;-) Remember, some are USED as though they are annuals (as in disposable).

I love using marigold and alyssum as fall annuals, too. I'm so glad that southern garden centers have finally started to come out with a whole new flush of marigolds in September. Both give the butterflies and bees something to do in the colder months.

I've had terrible luck with asters lasting more than one winter.

The coneflowers are definitely perennials. I've had snapdragons last two years, but then look so terrible in the summer that I pull them out of the garden.

I planted the snaps yesterday as we're getting lots of rain and cooler temps (70s). We have guests coming on Saturday, so I used the snaps to spiff up the front walkway. If a visitor isn't a gardener, then they probably think my garden is a lot of STUFF! LOL No standard front yard here.

Those are the best kinds of gardens, in my humble opinion.

I should clarify that to say that YOU'RE kind of garden is the best kind!

I'm amazed that it is that cool for you already, Cameron! We are still having highs in the low nineties, and it's hard to stand it after two weeks of hurricane weather. As much as I hate winter, I guess I am ready for some cooler weather. Bulbs are appearing in all the stores here.

Rhizo, shame on you for not naming which are the perennials and annuals! I'm afraid my confidence has been somewhat shaken! :)

You have a great deal of common sense, gifts of observation, and a wonderful curiosity. Oh, and a natural green thumb!

Does that boost your confidence?

Let's see if I can get these right: asters, mums, pansies, Homestead Verbena, and dahlias are all perennials. Some of them are tender perennials (that's a true botanical category) in that they WILL croak in severe temperatures. Remember, being killed due to temperatures outside their comfort zone (hot or cold) has nothing to do with their reproductive cycle which is what all of these categories are based on.

Others are treated AS annuals (disposable) for a variety of reasons. (Southerners rip up pansies in the late spring to replace with summer annuals)

Also, there are some verbena (like the Homestead), and salvia that are perennial, while others are annuals. Depends upon the species. Same with snapdragons.

Garden snaps and pansies can also be categorized as 'cool season' perennials. In the South, they are planted in the fall and can be expected to do quite well over the winter. What would our southern winter flower beds look like without pansies!

Alyssum is a true annual, and strongly self-seeding from year to year. It's considered a hardy annual, thriving in the cooler temperatures of early spring, fall, and Southern winters.

But you know what? WHO CARES? :-) It's interesting and fun to discuss (and even bicker) about, but it doesn't make much difference, does it?

This is my first year with ornamental Kale.

I have Chidori Reds and Whites, other no-name reds, whites and pinks, and another, Redbor, is my favorite - a nice deep purple that looks stunning in my planter with artemisia Silver Brocade. Excellent contrast.

Of course, they change colors (colors get brighter) as the temps cool.

I also treat mine with an insect repellant (Bayer liquid insect treatment, add to watering can, provided you don't plan on eating the Kale later on). But they also like epsom salts once monthly. Or, fertilize bi-weekly with an all purpose fertilizer, but don't overwater as they will yellow out. Remove any dead yellowing leaves.

I've read in a few places, and this confused me, that they won't get any bigger than they are in the pot when you purchase them. Not true.

Mine have grown noticably in just a couple of weeks. I'd say plant them asap. Choose Kale that is tight and compact with low stems.

I also just planted some pansies with my Kale. I have a 10 gallon fountain in my back yard, removed the water for the winter months and using it as a planter for the interim with smaller variety ornamental kale with pansies. It looks absolutely adorable.

I found my smaller Kale (and the Redbor) at Steins Garden Center, and the others at local nurseries.

Definitely look for Redbor kale if you are interested. That one is a must have.

Thanks, rhizo. That's very kind of you. I had no idea Pansies are perennials. I do love learning new things! But, as you say, in the end, all that matters is how they perform in your own garden. :)