CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 09/09/04

Choose bright fall color for beds and containers

By Faith Peppers
University of Georgia

As the curtain falls on the summer show of garden blooms, it's time to gear up for the fall preview. Several hardy annual varieties weather Georgia winters to keep landscapes colorful until spring arrives.

While pansies (Viola X wittrockiana) are by far the most popular hardy annual grown in Georgia, many other excellent choices fit Georgia growing conditions.

Paul Thomas, a horticulture professor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, offers these hardy plants for fall landscapes and containers:

Alyssum. Lobularia maritima (sweet Alyssum). A low-growing (4 to 8 inches), spreading plant, Alyssum blooms from late spring until frost. Colors range from white to rose to purple. Sow in fall.

Baby's breath. Gypsophila elegans. White, rose and purple varieties are available. Plants form round clumps 1 to 2 feet high. Plants bloom only about six weeks. Successive plantings are necessary to ensure season-long flowers. Don't confuse this with G. paniculata (perennial baby's breath).

Candytuft. Iberis umbellata. Several colors are available besides the familiar white. Plants form a mat-like habit. Annual candytuft is not as commonly used as I. sempervirens (perennial candytuft).

Calendula. Calendula officinalis (pot marigold). Varieties range from 1 to 2 feet tall. Yellow and gold predominate in the color range. A half-hardy annual, Calendula performs poorly under hot conditions but is good for early- and late-season color.

Cornflower. Centaurea cyanus (bachelor's button) is naturalized in much of Georgia. Farmers consider it a weed. Because of its short bloom season, its best in the cut-flower garden or naturalized areas. C. montana (perennial bachelor's button) may be more useful in the landscape.

Cosmos. Cosmos sulphureus and C. bipinnatus. Ranging from 1 to 4 feet tall, Cosmos are among the easiest annuals to grow. Taller varieties tend to fall over and may need staking. C. sulphureus varieties are mostly yellow and gold and C. bipinnatus white to pink to crimson.

Larkspur. Delphinium and Consolida species and hybrids. Larkspur is an old garden favorite for providing tall, spiky effects. They're often used as cut flowers. The perennial Delphiniums usually do poorly in the Southeast, but the Larkspur types do well.

Pansy. Most are planted in the fall and produce some flowers in fall and winter, followed by peak flowering in spring. Established plants can be transplanted in early spring. Nearly all colors are available. The smaller-flowered multiflora types are generally best for landscapes.

Poppy. Eschsholzia californica (California poppy), Papaver nudicale (Iceland poppy) and P. rhoeas (Shirley poppy). These poppies are excellent annuals for naturalizing. Seeds are usually sown in late fall or early spring for early blooms. Many colors are available.

Snapdragon. Anthirrhinum majus. Many varieties and colors are available, ranging from 6 to 36 inches tall. The taller ones require staking. They're grown mostly as cut flowers.

Sweet pea. Lathyrus odoratus. Sweet pea is grown mainly for its fragrant, colorful flowers, which make good cut flowers. Bush and climbing types are available. The climbers can be used on fences and trellises. Sweet pea grows best under cool conditions.

For complete information on growing fall annuals, contact your county Extension Service agent. Request the publication, "Flowering Annuals for Georgia Gardens." Or get it on-line (pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/b954.htm).

(Faith Peppers is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)

Faith Peppers is the director of public affairs with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
Paul A. Thomas
SLF2 CAES News
Spotting trouble: How Georgians can help combat spotted lanternfly 12/24/24 Emily Cabrera
Native to several Asian countries, the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was first detected in the United States in 2014 in Pennsylvania, likely arriving via imported goods. Since its arrival, the pest has spread to 15 states in the Eastern U.S., now including Georgia. While they do not bite or sting humans or animals, University of Georgia experts stress that early detection, prevention strategies and timely interventions are crucial to minimizing the spread and impact of this pest on a variety of plants.
Top research stories of 2024 CAES News
Top UGA research stories of 2024 12/23/24 Olivia Randall
As the new year approaches, it’s time to reflect on 2024, a year full of exciting research achievements at the University of Georgia. UGA researchers have made their marks examining crucial topics like the health of water resources and urban infrastructure in the face of climate change, the causes of higher suicide rates among young Black men, and an alarming trend in rates of Type 2 diabetes, among other groundbreaking work. Let’s take a closer look at 12 of the most impactful stories of the past year.
After a hearty climb, Connect Abroad Italy students pose in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. (Photo by Angel Bhardwaj) CAES News
UGA ranks as leading doctoral institution for study abroad 12/20/24 Angel Bhardwaj
The University of Georgia remains among the top 10 U.S. universities for study abroad participation, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report released by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of State. UGA boasts the highest study abroad participation to enrollment ratio of the top 7 ranked doctoral institutions, earning the No. 7 spot in overall participation and No. 3 in short-term study abroad programs.
HurricaneHeleneGreenhouseDamageCropped CAES News
UGA Extension supports resilience in Georgia farm communities after Hurricane Helene 12/19/24 Emily Cabrera
Hurricane Helene wrought sweeping devastation across Georgia’s agricultural sector in late September, leaving an indelible mark on both the land and the people who tend it, bringing focus to vulnerabilities in Georgia’s farming industry and the need for more robust safety nets. In addition to the physical destruction, the hurricane took an emotional toll on Georgia’s farmers. In response, UGA Extension has prioritized mental health support.
From left, CAES Associate Professor Abigail Borron and Fulbright Romanian-American Foundation Scholars Mihai Suteu, Daniyar Memedemin, Alina Zaharia, Andreea Ona and Daniel Chiciudean stand in front of an image of the Romanian flag projected onto a barn at UGArden. CAES News
Fulbright Scholars unite with UGA Extension to envision ag outreach model in Romania 12/18/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Arriving on the Athens campus of the University of Georgia in August 2023, five Romanian scholars experienced the same anticipation, excitement and apprehension as many first-year students.  Chosen as Fulbright Romanian-American Foundation Scholars, each serves on the faculty at one of three Romanian universities, specializing in fields from economics and engineering to plant breeding and biotechnology. The five scholars comprised the first cohort of the Romanian Extension Education Development Program, an ambitious three-year pilot effort to facilitate planning and implementation of extension services in Romania. 
Janiver in sunflower field AI web CAES News
A larger-than-life legacy: CAES student’s contagious enthusiasm inspired others 12/17/24 Jordan Powers
When Miriam Edelkind-Vealey applied for a summer role at a University of Georgia pollinator biodiversity lab in 2020, the junior undergrad didn’t quite know what to expect. After being told she got the position, Edelkind-Vealy didn’t hear anything for a few weeks. It was only then that she learned a collaborator on the project, second-year master’s degree student Amy Joy Janvier, had passed away.