Extend the blooming season into Fall.

September 25, 2024
Larry Hurley
Perennial Plants
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I know that mums are one of the keystone plants for fall decoration. I find them sort of boring, after handling many thousands of them over the years. Familiarity and contempt, and all that.

Dwarf Narrow-leaved Sunflower, Helianthus salicifolius 'Autumn Gold' — Dwarf Narrow-leaved Sunflower, Helianthus salicifolius ‘Autumn Gold’

There are some nice perennials that are late-season bloomers. Today’s photo is of one of them: Dwarf Narrow-leaved Sunflower, Helianthus salicifolius ‘Autumn Gold’. It’s a Proven Winners selection, so it should be widely available at garden centers again next spring if you don’t see it now.

The photo was taken last year on October 7, at my garden here in Middleton, WI. It was planted four months earlier. It’s in full sun, with well-drained soil.

At this writing it is in bud (as of 9/21/2024) and should be showing color soon. It has maintained its tight growth habit, topping out at about two feet high and 24 inches across, so you don’t need a lot of room for it. It’s cheerful, the flowers last a long time, and the foliage is such a deep green that it’s attractive even when not in bloom.

‘Autumn Gold’ isn’t widely known yet, which I find appealing, being the Man of Mystery that I am.

Larry Hurley

Larry Hurley worked at Behnke Nurseries from 1984 until the business was composted in 2019, primarily with the perennial department in growing, buying and sales.

Before landing at Behnke’s, he worked as a technician in a tissue culture lab, a houseplant “expert” at a florist shop, and inventory controller at a wholesale nursery in Dallas. With this and that, ten years passed.

When his wife Carolyn accepted a position at Georgetown University, Larry was hired at Behnke’s for the perennial growing department and garden center at Behnke’s Largo location.

In 2021, Larry and Carolyn moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to family and further from traffic. After 37 years in a shaded yard in Maryland, he is happy to have a sunny lot where he can grow all sorts of new perennials, if only he can keep the rabbits at bay. He also enjoys cooking, traveling, and the snowblower.