Mums and Pansies: Colour Made Easy

Just because summer's gone doesn't mean flowers don't still have time to shine. Fall is known for its array of colourful foliage, but flowers can add some vibrant punctuation to the landscape. Annuals like mums and pansies are favourite standbys as fall flowers, with good reason. They look great, they can grow almost anywhere in the country and they're usually easy to find at garden centers. The best part is, they'll add colour long after summer annuals die back and perennials go dormant.

Provide a Healthy Home

Whether you choose mums and pansies or try your hand with local native flowers, you'll get the best results if you give them a good environment for growing. For in-ground garden plantings, that means improving your soil by incorporating products such as Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil All Purpose 0.09 - 0.05 - 0.07. Follow spacing and planting directions on the individual plant tags. For container gardens, use a specialized potting soil such as Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix.

Feed Your Flowers Regularly

As the summer sun's rays begin to fade, your flowers will benefit from more nutrients. Feed your fall plants with a food such as Miracle-Gro® Shake 'N Feed® All Purpose Plant Food starting two weeks after planting. Follow a regular feeding schedule (once every two weeks), observing your flowers for signs of its nutrient needs. Abnormally yellow, brown or pale leaves can be an indicator of nutrient deficiency.

Water According to Your Climate

While summer's heat may have passed, you still need to water your flowers frequently. Be sure to check your soil regularly, and water your plants as necessary to provide a steady supply of moisture for continuous and healthy blooms.

Don't Forget to Deadhead

When it comes to plants, brown usually isn't a desirable colour. Your fall flowers will produce more blooms for a longer period if you deadhead, removing flowers that have faded, started to turn brown or are malformed. Pluck the flowers just below the bud.