Chrysanthemums (mums) certainly steal the spotlight in fall gardening and landscaping. It’s no surprise as they provide bursts of seasonal color in many different options at a reasonable price. But what if there was a better option?
Mums are native to Asia and Europe. They bloom in the fall, and while some varieties are hardy in our zone 7 climate, they are usually treated as annuals once done blooming. Garden centers fill up with these plants along with fall decorations in September, and they are quickly bought up to be added to fall landscapes.
Another similar mounded looking plant that shows up in garden centers around this time (usually even a bit earlier) is the aster. And get this - there are over 100 native asters to North America! They bloom from August through frost and since they are native plants, they provide essential late season nectar and pollen for the butterflies and bees, and are also hosts to many butterflies like crescents, checkerspots, & ladies. Asters can be grown successfully in fall planter arrangements, and as perennials* they can be planted in the ground so they come back year after year.
Native gardens are essential to the local ecosystem and wildlife, but you don’t have to change it all overnight to make a difference. Maybe this year for every 2 mums you bring home, plant 1 aster nearby. For more information on starting your native garden, read our Native Garden blog post below!
*A perennial plant is a plant that lives for more than two years and comes back to grow and bloom year after year.
