Vermont native fall blooming plants - Ask Extension
Hello
I am reaching out in hopes you can help advise us with a list of hardy plants native to Vermont.
Vermont has a building that is a replica of ...
Knowledgebase
Vermont native fall blooming plants #784352
Asked March 18, 2022, 11:26 AM EDT
Hello
I am reaching out in hopes you can help advise us with a list of hardy plants native to Vermont.
Vermont has a building that is a replica of our statehouse in West Springfield MA on the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds. The Vermont building is only in use during The Big E fair which is in late Sept early Oct. During the fair we have millions of fairgoers visit the Vermont building. Currently, our grounds are looking a bit shabby. Some of the plants that were plants a few years ago look beautiful during the summer months when no one is there. We need plants that are at their peak while the fair is going on.
Can you help us create a list of possible plants to plant that require little to no maintenance. I understand this is trick due to the climate difference. Any advise would be most appreciated.
Photos attached are old, these plants have since died off.
Warmly,
Faith
Washington County Vermont
Expert Response
Hi, Faith. What an interesting landscaping challenge you have! My first thought is to look at small shrubs and ground covers that have fall color and/or berries. You can find some recommendations here: https://www.uvm.edu/pss/ppp/articles/natshrub2.html . Off the top of my head I think of red osier dogwood, with its red stems, some varieties of which have bright fall foliage. I also think of a compact chokeberry, which would have attractive foliage and berries. And a ninebark variety with colorful foliage. One place to start researching specific varieties of these might be at a Vermont nursery website, such as Horsford, which has a filter for native plants in their online catalogue.
Most perennials will have finished flowering by September, but many will still have visual interest with seed heads and pods. Here’s a start to get you thinking : https://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/natper2.html . New England Aster seems like a good bet, as well as goldenrod and plants in the milkweed family.
From the photos it looks like your space for planting is rather restricted, but I hope some of these suggestions will help. I recommend that you consider ordering this book - Landscape Plants for Vermont, (which supports our work here, by the way!): https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Extension-Community-Horticulture/Landscape_Book_Order_Form.pdf
Have fun with this!
Juanita
UVM Extension Master Gardener
Most perennials will have finished flowering by September, but many will still have visual interest with seed heads and pods. Here’s a start to get you thinking : https://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/natper2.html . New England Aster seems like a good bet, as well as goldenrod and plants in the milkweed family.
From the photos it looks like your space for planting is rather restricted, but I hope some of these suggestions will help. I recommend that you consider ordering this book - Landscape Plants for Vermont, (which supports our work here, by the way!): https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Extension-Community-Horticulture/Landscape_Book_Order_Form.pdf
Have fun with this!
Juanita
UVM Extension Master Gardener
