Rutgers Master Gardeners of Burlington County Blog

By Bonnie McNamee As fall approaches and temperatures cool down what a nice time to be out in the garden.   The trees are beginning to change color and while our gardens may not be at their peak as in July, there are many ways to boost and extend great fall color. Annuals such as geraniums, begonias, salvias, lantana and others will stay beautiful through the fall until frost.   Some annuals including geraniums, celosia and dianthus transplant very well from the ground to pots.   Placed on your covered porch or deck, these potted plants can be protected from early frost conditions and extend color into late fall.     Ornamental kale ( Brassica oleracae ) is grown for its colorful foliage and as temperatures cool down, the color intensifies.   These showy plants take center stage in the garden and will tolerate light frost with ease.   The leaves are frilly and when planted alongside potted mums offer eye catching color and texture.   They are also container friendly.     

By Bonnie McNamee  1. Goldenrod is an excellent addition to the late summer garden. 2.   Goldenrod allergies are a myth.   It’s ragweed that causes allergies and often they are found growing together in fields and along roadsides. 3.   It is hardy to Zone 4, it doesn’t get mildew or rust, and the slowly expanding clump grows only 3 – 4 feet tall.   It is often best planted at the back of the border.   It can be grown as a specimen plant or massed for a dramatic effect.   It combines particularly well with blue or purple fall asters that bloom at the same time.   Also grows well with ‘Autumn Joy’ Sedum. 4.   The bright yellow flowers come out just when many other border plants are fading.   Until that time, the plant is just a nice looking, bushy, deep green plant.   When the tiny yellow flowers start to open on the 18” long arching flower spikes, it turns into a focal point in the garden.   5.   It is great as a cut flower and a very pretty addition to a flower ar

By Merry Bogert  At some point, many homeowners decide to simplify their lives by moving into smaller homes that require less maintenance. Those who have enjoyed gardening sometimes put off this decision because they can’t bear to leave beloved plantings that would be too large for a smaller property or garden bed. But take heart - the plant breeders have seen this coming and have been busy developing smaller versions of your old favorites! Joe Pye Weed ( Eupatorium maculatum ), an impressive butterfly and pollinator magnet that grows 5-6’ tall, has two dwarf varieties: Little Joe (3-4’) and Baby Joe (2-3’). The classic Butterfly Bush ( Buddleia davidii ) grows to an impressive 7’ x 5’, but there are newer cultivars that range from 4’ x 4’ to the Lo and Behold® varieties that are only 24-36” high and wide – perfect for a narrow bed surrounding a patio or for a container. Old-fashioned Beebalm ( Monarda didyma ), possibly large for a downsized bed, has a dwarf variety; ‘Fire