Did you know that fall gardens can be just as colorful and lively as summer ones?
Last year, I was afraid my garden would look dull after summer, but luckily, I planted this amazing flower that loves the cooler fall months (and it really knows how to shine!).
If you love having blooms all year long (or at least as long as possible), you’ll want to check out the flower I am talking about.
The star of the fall show is a lovely flower called…
Penstemon aka Beardtongue
Scientifically known as Penstemon schmidel, this native flower is an independent plant that doesn’t need much pampering to thrive.
When I planted mine, I quickly figured out that choosing the right spot is super important. Make sure it’s in an area without too many mature plants hogging all the resources – after all, everyone needs their space, right?
Penstemon loves well-draining soil and prefers things on the low-nutrient side (yeah, it’s kind of picky like that). If you overdo it with the nutrients or give it too much water, it’ll throw a bit of a tantrum.
And don’t even get me started on the root ball – make sure you leave the top peeking out when you plant it.
Full sun is where this beauty shines, though it can handle a touch of shade if needed.
As for care? Barely any!
Just throw some gravel at its base instead of mulch and give it the occasional deep watering.
You can fertilize once a year to help boost the blooms, but don’t do it excessively. Sometimes, less is more, and with this one, it’s all about letting nature do its thing.
This flower will definitely bring hummingbirds into your yard. Want to see more of these cute birds?
If so, check this out: Grow These 20 Nectar-Rich Native Plants If You Want To Attract Hummingbirds To Your Yard
Add Some Companion Plants So That Penstemon Doesn’t Feel Alone
Penstemon is one tough cookie of a prairie flower, thriving in dry, low-nutrient, drought-prone spots.
So, if you’re planning to pair it with other plants, go for ones that love the same rugged conditions. Some perfect companions that match its look are leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) or autumn sage (Salvia greggii, aka cherry sage).
They’ve got similar shapes and colors, making them great and very aesthetic partners.
But if you want to mix things up and add more contrast to your garden, consider planting Fireworks’ goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) for its bright yellow plumes that last until the first frost.
Or go for ‘Autumn Gold’ narrow-leaved sunflowers (Helianthus salicifolius) if you want to make a statement because they are known for their significantly larger blooms.
Together, these plants will give you a stunning, low-maintenance fall garden and save you from the struggles of spring and summer gardening!
Also read: Grow These 7 Native Plants To Attract Pollinators During Fall