tickseed Archives - Loreeebee

Who can believe that October is here already? Not me. Not Gardens4me either as they are still producing lots of blooms even though October blooms are relatively unusual around here.

New this month is the silver lace vine I have adorning my garden shelves/workbench. What a mess this shelving unit is, another job for my fall to-do list.

Another of my October blooms is the perennial aster, a little soggy in this picture, cheerful nonetheless…

Also putting in a (late) appearance adding to the October blooms is my beautiful white and red hibiscus…

Roses are still blooming beautifully too..

…as is tickseed. Did you know if you cut tickseed back immediately after it first blooms in the summer it will rebloom? This picture is my proof..

Also reblooming for the third (!!!) time this season is my weigela. It requires no maintenance to make it rebloom, just warm weather…

Annuals in containers are still eye-catching, including a gorgeous pale blush-pink hibiscus, even though we have had a few frosty nights.

One annual I was disappointed in this summer was the cardinal flower vine on my bamboo teepees. Although the foliage is unique, the blooms (other than a sporadic one mentioned earlier) have only just shown up in earnest….

The frosty nights have caused the leaves to start their colour transformation. From green to red with various shades in between. The vine on my back deck (or green room) is no exception…

We can’t complain about the advancing calendar too much though as our summer here in Eastern Ontario has been awesome. The October blooms are a bonus. A tad too hot and dry for our lawns, but awesome for us humans. With one daughter-in-law on maternity leave, I was able to spend more time than usual at the lake with her and two of my grandchildren. With pandemic restrictions in place we were not allowed to do much else, so cottage life was the perfect answer.

The rain this week has been great for the fall lawn repair my yard so badly needs. The temperature has been warm too, so my Gardens4me blooms should last a while longer.

Irrigation Systems

Even if you have an irrigation system, these hardy perennials should be a staple in your garden to avoid wasting your money on plants and water. Just be sure to place the hoses or plants (whichever you install last) strategically. For example, ornamental grasses do not appreciate wet feet. In fact, the quickest way to kill them off is to overwater them.

Read the Labels or Research to Find Drought-Tolerant Plants

One way to determine if plants (annuals or perennials) are drought resistant is to read the labels at the nurseries or stores where you purchase your plants. Some (larger) nurseries even have separate drought-tolerant sections to make your search easier. I have discovered asking nursery staff which plants are suitable is hit and miss.

Another more proactive plan is to research drought-resistant plants hardy to your garden zone before you head out the door to shop for plants.

Popular Drought-Tolerant Perennials in Ottawa (zone 4/5)