If you thought Spring, the time of natural renewal, was the best time for planting, you might be surprised! FALL…. is actually the best time to let roots take hold and give your new garden time to develop and grow. The parts above the ground may have to deal with the cold onset, BUT the roots will continue to grow and prosper till the soil below starts to freeze, well into winter. This gives the plant months to “take root” versus trying to immediately acclimate and produce leaves/flowers/etc. in the hot Spring and Summer months.
Currently, Petro has several great planting jobs in progress, including a job along the water in the Mount Vernon, Virginia area. This planting features native buffer plantings, framing beautiful veiwsheds to the water. Species included native grasses such as Panicums and Carex, tolerant perennials such as Salvia and Rudbeckia, and, beautiful roses. A second plant installation nearing completion is located in woodlands outside of historic Ellicott City. Specified in this project are unique natives like Winterthur Viburnum and Mahonia, better known as the Oregon Grape Holly.
If you are thinking about new plantings, now is the best time. Contact Kathleen to schedule an appointment. Or if you are looking for planting ideas, visit a botanical garden. Petro recommends Meadowlark Botanical Garden in Northern Virginia by Wolf Trap or Brookeside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland.