October / November 2008 | Home Magazine Article

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October / November Article

Cooler weather could be here any day now, and football season is in full swing. Many of us in North Central Florida look forward to October and November for tailgating parties and the great outdoors. What many people don’t know is that fall is one of the best times of the year to plant here to rejuvenate the landscape. Florida does not experience permafrost like many areas of the country, so most trees, flowers and shrubs keep growing during the slightly cooler fall and winter months, especially at the root zone. By planting now, your garden will be established and have twice the bloom power in the spring.

Lawns have slowed their growth considerably. Look for a weed and feed fertilizer formulated for your type of turf. Applications now will prevent new weed

True blue flowers are difficult to find in nature, but delphiniums provide several shades of blue spires from sky blue to deep Gator blue. Plant these in November with a good organic fertilizer like Mill’s Magic. Then stand back and watch these beauties bloom through the hardest frosts of winter, and then again with a repeat performance in spring.

By Jon George Most Florida red maples range in color from yellows to reds and oranges depending on variety. The Florida Flame was selected by a local nursery for its ability to color up, even with warmer weather. A well-designed landscape with layers of height and texture will add value to your home. With the right selection and placement of plant material, you can have color and interest in your garden all year.

Orange and blue gardens are all the rage this year. One of the brilliantly colored roses that we trialed this year was the selection called ‘Hot Cocoa,’ with burnt orange blossoms that deepen with frost. ‘Hot Cocoa’ withstood the heat and humidity of summer, and after a good pruning, is coming back with another flush of blooms topping out at five feet.

Another striking orange bloom just peaking this season is the orange butterfly ginger. A favorite of hummingbirds, this ginger has the ability to fill a room with fragrance just from a single cut flower stalk. Like other gingers, plant these in moist partial sun.

Most Florida red maples range in color from yellows to reds and oranges depending on variety. The Florida Flame was selected by a local nursery for its ability to color up, even with warmer weather.

A well-designed landscape with layers of height and texture will add value to your home. With the right selection and placement of plant material, you can have color and interest in your garden all year.

growth later. Milorganite, a composted waste fertilizer is a safe slow release nitrogen source for all shrubs and trees. Plants with bulbs or tubers, like agapanthus or dahlias, will enjoy a lower nitrogen, bulb-and-bloom booster from now until spring in order to bulk up their underground reserves.

growth later. Milorganite, a composted waste fertilizer is a safe slow release nitrogen source for all shrubs and trees. Plants with bulbs or tubers, like agapanthus or dahlias, will enjoy a lower nitrogen, bulb-and-bloom booster from now until spring in order to bulk up their underground reserves.

The Florida Flame red maple is one native tree that really comes into its glory with the first hard frost.

We use the wheat colored plumes of burgundy fountain grass and chrysanthemums, seen here, to soften the whole arrangement. Buy your chrysanthemums in bud for a longer lasting display. Keep an eye on potted plants to make sure they don’t dry out.