Unusual Fall Perennials for the Northwest

In Andy Brand ’s articleUnusual Fall Perennials , he discuss some out - of - the - box plant picks for this salient time in the garden :

“ As we reluctantly take the inevitable and begin preparing our garden for wintertime , we can alleviate the transition by planting selections that leave colour and excitement at this time of class . While many nurseryman have traditionally turned to mums(Chrysanthemumspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) , goldenrods(Solidagospp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) , and sedums(Hylotelephiumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) to exsert the horticulture time of year , many also long for something unlike . ”

Below , you ’ll recover fantastic perennial that are excellent , but have remained rare in fall gardens in the Northwest . Looking for even more unexpected fall standouts ? check that to check out Andy ’s clause .

1. ‘Alboplenum’ Fall Crocus

Name:Colchicumautumnale‘Alboplenum’

Zones:4–8

Size:6 to 12 inches tall and wide

Conditions : Full sunlight ; well - drain soil

Native range : Europe

I love a surprisal , and ‘ Alboplenum ’ fall crocus provides one . Its stubby sprout come out quickly in early autumn , bursting candid to reveal superb two-fold flowers with thin ashen petal and a slightly shredded , alien appearance . The large flowers are unimpeded by foliage , making them blatant in the fall garden . Keep an oculus out in late winter to early outpouring for its strappy , peagreen leaves , which provide interesting textural contrast for give bloomers . This drought - tolerant bulb grows best in an open location .

2. Licorice Fern

Name:Polypodium glycyrrhiza

Zones:6–9

Size:8 to 15 column inch tall and 2 to 3 fundament wide

Conditions : fond shade ; well - drained soil

Native range : Western North America

This beautiful fern is strange for its winter green growing riding habit . In summer , its fronds shrivel and drop off . When the autumn rains arrive , its vivacious new fleeceable growth come out just when many other plants are head for dormancy . In its aboriginal habitat , licorice fern can be discover grow in moss on tree diagram trunks and branches , with fronds cascade down from high perch . fortuitously , it also adapts easy to garden polish . taste it in a hanging basket for an strange feature late in the year . It prefers daybreak sunshine or loose shade and is drought tolerant once establish .

3. Showy Chinese Gentian

Name:Gentianasino-ornata

Size:3 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches broad

Conditions : Partial shade ; moist , rich , well - drained soil

Native orbit : China , Tibet

Few plant life are as enchanting as gentians , and this fall flub is one of the most spectacular coinage . It is a scrap of a garden prima donna , but if you may meet its exact cultural needs the reward are well deserving the drive . Give it a spot with morning light or assailable shade , water it regularly during ironic conditions , and protect it from hot sun . Its fine foliage will grow tight to the reason through summertime , allowing for full view of the frail flowers in September and October . loaded , guide buds open into upright cornet that are blue , white , or bicolor with glowing immature marker .

4. Hardy Guernsey Lily

Name:Nerine bowdenii

Zones:8–11

Size:24 to 30 inches tall and 6 to 8 inch wide of the mark

Native range of a function : South Africa

I know it is autumn when the sinewy flowering stem of hardy Guernsey lily make their surprising emergence from the desolate ground , seeming to pop up from nowhere . The slender bulge at the summit of each thin stem is the only hint of the blaze out pinkish prime hide inside the buds . Once open , each bloom reveals sparse , strappy petal that gimmick and curl backward , creating an refined and frilly display . The best thing about this medulla oblongata is that even a new planting with just a few flower stem delivers bright gloss that is unmanageable to miss . Guernsey lily is drought resistant once established .

add editor in chief Richie Steffen is executive manager of the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden in Seattle .

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