FLORIDA

Fall-Blooming Perennials
Don't limit yourself to annuals this season because there are lots of perennials blooming now to brighten your days. Firespike (Odontonema strictum), shown at right, with its fiery red flower spikes, is a favorite of hummingbirds. Be sure to plant these in partial shade for best performance. Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha) will flower reliably every autumn if planted in full sun. Its long spikes of purple and white flowers also attract hummingbirds. Other plants these birds love include the orange-and-yellow tubular blooms of cigar flower (Cuphea micropetala), an easy plant that anyone can grow, and the red flowers of pineapple sage (Salvia elegans). Both thrive in the sun. Plant lion's tail (Leonitis leonurus) in a sunny spot where you can enjoy its warm orange flowers. A good choice for partial shade is Philippine violet (Barleria cristata). It will be covered with lavender flowers throughout the fall.

Entire State
Cool-weather color--For color that will last from now until spring, set out dianthus, snapdragons, pansies, violas, lobelias, nemesias, twinspurs, and sweet alyssums. Plant in full sun, and feed with a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote Outdoor & Indoor 19-6-12 or Dynamite All-Purpose 18-6-8 fertilizer.

Central and South Vegetables--Set out transplants of leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, turnips, mustards, cabbage, or kale. (You can also sow the seeds of lettuces, turnips, and mustards.) Beets, broccoli, carrots, arugula, basil, dill, fennel, and parsley can also be planted now.
Watering--With drier days, you will need to continue to provide supplemental water for your lawn. Fortunately it's a bit cooler, so you won't need to water as often, probably only once or twice a week. Apply 1/2 to 3/4 inch of water at a time.
Shrubs--This is a great time to plant new shrubs. Make sure the hole is two to three times the width of the root ball. To ensure good drainage, the new plant should be set at the same depth it was in the container or even slightly higher in case it settles a bit.
Bright yellow flowers--The beautiful blooms of butterfly bush (Senna bicapsularis) are stunning now, resembling golden butterflies. Plant in full sun to partial shade and allow 8 to 10 feet for spread and height. Water several times a week after planting, but once established, butterfly bush is very drought tolerant.

North and Central Colorful autumn foliage--Even Floridians can enjoy the change of seasons if we select and plant the right trees. Crepe myrtle, dogwood, Florida maple, Chinese pistache, red maple, sourwood, and Shumard red oak provide good fall color. Now through winter is the time to plant. Just be sure to water the young trees well at least twice a week until established. Seeds for spring--Larkspur, bachelor's button, sweet pea, Shirley poppy, and California poppy seeds can be sown now, in well-prepared soil in full sun. Follow package directions carefully so as not to plant your seeds too deeply. Keep the planting bed moist for several weeks. Once the seedlings have emerged and produced their first set of true leaves, thin them 4 to 6 inches apart.