Perennials can add colour to the landscape throughout the spring, summer and into fall. In the fall after a killing frost many of the annuals will be finished and this when the late flowering perennials really stand out. There is still time to plant late blooming perennials in the landscape to have that late season colour. The following perennials are a few of the popular late blooming perennials.

Showy Stonecrop is a sedum that requires very little moisture. It has thick fleshy leaves and stems with large flower heads that come in different shades of pink, some of them very bright. The flower heads consist of a cluster of small florets that form throughout the summer and open up in the fall to reveal their colours. They can be left on the plant for added winter interest. For best results, plant Stonecrop in full sun to partial shade, in a well drained soil.They grow about 50 cm tall and wide. They are easy to grow and care for, as they are rarely bothered by pests or disease.

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) is a hardy zone three perennial which has a daisy like flower. The petals are yellow/orange and surround a dark brown eye. The flowers are long lasting and will bloom well into the fall. After they have finished blooming the dark seed heads can be left for added winter interest. They also make nice cut flowers. It is an easy to grow and maintain perennial that can tolerate some drought once it has been established, and will tolerate different soil types. Plant in full sun to partial shade. They should be divided every 3-4 years. The Goldsturm variety is a very popular variety that grows 45-70cm tall.

Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has a daisy like flower that has a dark centre cone with drooping petals. Flowers are long lasting and also make nice cut flowers or dried flowers. The attractive seed heads add winter interest and can be used in dry arrangements. Native to North America it is an easy to grow and maintain perennial that do best in full sun/partial shade in most soil types. Grows 75-100 cm tall and spreads 45-60 cm.

Joe Pye is a tall perennial, growing 90-180 cm tall, making it great for the back of the flower bed. The pink/purple flowers are grown in clusters on top of the tall stems, and attract butterflies. It is easy to grow and low maintenance Plant in sun to partial shade in a rich moist soil.

False Sunflower (Heliopsis) is a tall (60-90 cm)hardy perennial with long lasting yellow, daisy like flowers. The plants start flowering in early summer and continue into fall. Remove the finished flowers so the plants energy can go towards producing new flowers. The flowers make good cut flowers as well as dried flowers. False Sunflowers grow best in sun to partial shade and will tolerate different soil conditions as well as being drought tolerant. They are easy to grow and can be divided every 3-4 years. They will also self sow, but will take a couple of years to flower.

–Jos

Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Home and Garden Centres in Prince George:

• Highway 16 west at Kimball Road
• Highway 97 North at Northwood Pulpmill Road