Fall Native Planting Calendar
by Lisa Williams
 

Information provided by: Garden for Wildlife Seasonal Native Plant Care Calendar

Fall is September – November

Pruning and Cleanup:
 

• Trim back any dead or diseased growth.  However, leave the stems of native perennials like milkweed and other natives.  Our native bees like to use them to hibernate in during the winter.  If you don’t like the look, then cut the stems back to a height of 1-2 feet leaving enough space for the bees to hide in.  You can also cut the stalk and move it to another location in the garden.
• Don’t get rid of all the fallen leaves. The natural leaf layer is critical habitat for many birds, insects and other wildlife.  If you remove the leaves totally you keep insects from finishing their life cycle which reduces the food for birds and other critters.
   
• Fall is an excellent time for planting, just before plants go dormant. The cooler weather reduces the risk of transplant shock and gives plants time to get their roots established underground before the spring growing season.

Add late-blooming native plants to feed our bees and other wildlife like:
 

1. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Besides being beautiful with its bright yellow fall blooms, goldenrod is a keystone plant, feeding more species than any other perennial;.  Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod does not cause allergies; it's actually ragweed that is the culprit. Goldenrod’s pollen is so heavy it immediately falls to the ground leaving us unbothered.
2. Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.): Asters are a diverse group of native plants that provide a stunning array of colors, from purple and blue to pink and white. They offer a late-season buffet for pollinators and contribute to the overall visual tapestry of autumn gardens. Dixie aster is blooming like crazy right now in my yard. 
3. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.): Named after a Native American herbalist, Joe-Pye weed boasts large, dome-shaped clusters of pink or purple flowers. These blooms attract butterflies and other pollinators, making it an essential component of a fall wildlife garden.
4. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): a fantastic choice for fall wildlife support. Its vibrant red blooms attract pollinators, providing late-season nectar. Additionally, its dense foliage offers shelter for various wildlife, making it a valuable addition to any wildlife-friendly garden.
5. Anise Hyssop (Agastache spp.): There are several species of this attractive purple-blooming native wildflower found across the US that bloom into early fall. They are an absolute pollinator magnet. 
6. Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.): These sunny yellow wildflowers start blooming in summer and keep going ‘til fall, providing nectar for pollinators before they form seeds that sustain birds and other mammals into winter.

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   NEFL Sierra Club Native Plant Challenge

   NEFL Sierra Club still “wants you!” to show us your yard photos of the native plants you have in your yard. Planting even just a few native plants help our wildlife and means you, too, can enter the challenge. Each month we will showcase someone who has gone to the trouble of providing food and habitat for our declining wildlife.So, please join us by planting any native plants you can!

*Every month, "Planting with a Purpose" is published in our NEFL Newsletter.
To find past issues, check the Newsletter Archive page.

1. Wacca Pilatka LLC   (design and installation available)
904-859-4033
Waccapilatka.com
keepingfloridawild@gmail.com

2. Native & Uncommon Plants
904-388-9851
Goingnativejax@gmail.com
http://www.nativeanduncommonplants.com/

3. Chiappini Farm Native Nursery    
352-475-5413
https://chiappinifarm.com/

4. Native Plant Consulting (design and installation available)
904-671-2880
nativeplantconsulting.com

5. Garden For Wildlife
www.GardenforWildlife.com       

6. Mail Order Natives (online only)
www.mailordernatives.com
mailordernatives@gmail.com
Use code SIERRACLUB10 for $10 off for any purchase (One-time only; No expiration)

7. Bella Jardins Boutique
Order online and she delivers.
https://bellajardins.boutique/

8. Lark Native Plants
https://larknativeplants.com/index.html

9.  Audubon's website Plants for Birds
https://www.audubon.org/plantsforbirds

10. Green Isle Gardens
https://www.greenislegardens.com/retail.html#/

Homegrown National Park - Join Doug Tallamy’s quest to turn half of all turf grass into native plantings.  Register your yard here: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/

Florida Native Plant Society - For all kinds of info on native plants including Finding Plants Based on Your Location and Needs: https://www.fnps.org/plants

IXIA Native Plant Society - For info on our local native plant society: https://ixia.fnpschapters.org/