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FOR
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CONTACT: Rob Beets |
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TENNESSEE’S EXPERT GROWERS SAY THINK OUTSIDE THE FLOWER BOX FOR FALL NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennesseans tend to pursue two
basic flowering plants in the fall: chrysanthemums, and, for even cooler
weather, pansies. Mums and pansies are great staples in Tennessee to add to
fall color, but there are several other types of flowering plants that do
very well for fall in Tennessee. It just
makes sense to go to the experts to get garden and landscape ideas, and in Most of
these growers have their plant selections growing on site, so you don’t have
to worry about plants being stressed from getting transported in hot trucks
with little water for an undetermined length of time. Plus, you have the
chance to get planting and care information firsthand from the person who
grew the plants, something you can’t receive from most of the larger “box”
stores. When you visit these prolific producers, remember to take a notepad
and pencil, because it’ll be hard to remember all their recommendations. “We carry
several different varieties of fall bloomers including Salvia and Cuphea,”
offers Rita Randolph of Some
other colorful fall plants recommended by Randolph include Heuchera, also
known as coral-bells, which are known for their vibrant fall foliage, pink
Anemone that have very showy blooms to attract butterflies, and hardy
Ageratum, a native Tennessee plant with multiple misty blue flowers. “Most of
our perennials, including black-eyed Susan and purple coneflower, will bloom
right up until frost,” says Tim Hitchcock of Daylily Nursery in Rock Island.
“Some of our daylilies will continue blooming as well.” Pansies
and their smaller counterpart, violas, also famous for fall and winter bloom
color, can be grouped with ornamental cabbage and kale, also popular for
their colorful cold weather foliage, to make a bright late fall combination.
A good cold tolerant cabbage is “Ruby Perfection,” but cold-loving lettuces
like arugula and kales like “Redbore” and “Red Russian” are also sure bets. Lorraine
Sutton of M & L Greenhouse in Shelbyville sell mums, pansies, cabbage and
kale and, for those who’d love to have a beautiful view without all the sweat
equity, Sutton has a full service garden center and landscaping service. The
Suttons remind customers that spring flowers like tulips, daffodils and
hyacinths come in bulb form and need to be planted in the fall, generally 4-6
weeks before first frost. “Parsley
is another plant that mixes well with pansies this time of year,” says Jean
Anthony of Anthony’s Greenhouse and Herb Farm in “This is
our best mum crop in several years,” says Vera Ann Myers, of Myers Greenhouse
in Bulls Gap. A member of the Northeast Tennessee Specialty Growers, her
family also has a corn maze and pumpkin patch this time of year. Because her
customers like to come straight to the farm to pick up a little outdoor
autumn day fun along with their homegrown mums, “We tend to stay very busy in
the fall.” The Northeast Tennessee Specialty Growers is an association made
up of local family-owned nurseries and greenhouses. The group works together
to offer “We
always keep a nice selection of mums, pansies, ornamental cabbage and kale,
as well as ornamental grasses for this time of year,” says Ann Gaut of Ann’s
Greene Haus in For a
list of local flower growers statewide, including the Northeast Tennessee
Specialty Growers or more information on fall plants visit www.picktnproducts.org and click on Nursery
Products, or contact TDA Market Development at 615-837-5160. ####
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