BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

Fall is an ideal time to plant perennials in home landscapes. The Upper Gulf Coast has several months of cooler temperatures and dependable moisture from October through April. Perennials planted during fall will have time to establish a good root system during these more moderate conditions. This head start supports strong growth, long-term health and overall plant vigor. The fall and winter seasons present fewer pest problems as well. All in all, there are fewer sources of stress (such as heat, fluctuations in soil moisture levels, and insect pressure) on specimens planted in the fall. As one of my gardening friends commented: “Gardening with perennials is like painting with a full palette of colors, textures, forms and fragrances.” Think of your home landscape as a canvas and then create your perennial garden of color that pumps out beautiful foliage and flowers for years to come. The selection of perennials that will be offered at this year’s event will augment local landscapes with an amazing variety of color, texture, size, shape and versatility. Many of the selections are suitable for habitat gardens to attract birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. There will be 13 different varieties of Amaryllis, 3 different varieties of Narcissus/Daffodils, in addition to Oxblood Lily, Lycoris (Spider Lily), Spanish Bluebells and more. The Fall Plant Sale will be conducted at the Galveston County Fairgrounds Arena in Hitchcock along Hwy. 6. A preview seminar will be offered at 8:00 a.m. and the plant sale yard will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A limited number of wagons will be available and gardeners are encouraged to bring their own wagons! Come early for best selections. Visit our website (http:// aggie-horticulture. tamu.edu/galveston/) to view or download a color catalogue with descriptions of all plants to be available at the sale