August, an End to Gardening?

Why does August mean an end to gardening for many of us? I admit that by this time of year, I slow down when it comes to gardening. But August is a time for planting anew and for keeping up color. There is no end to the good gardening one can do this month.

Gardeners talk a lot about autumn and winter interest. It follows that we can use August to plant new items that will ensure we have a bit of the desirable colorful foliage, blazing stems, and wisps of ornamental grass to enliven our senses in the coldest months. But what about right now, when many gardens seem to morph from full-color to shades of green? In my garden, one answer is the Panicle Hydrangea. The Panicle Hydrangea adds white and cream earlier in summer, and at this time, as other plants lose their flowers, the Panicle Hydrangea (I have more than one variety) starts to blush in the cooler breezes that make the month of August so welcome after the heat of July.

Coreopsis, or Tickseed, also stays alight with color in August. And in August, the Sedums are only beginning to put on their show, with their blooms which blend in with their succulent greenery until they burst out in color at this time of year. I am perhaps most partial to Sedum spurium John Creech, which is fairly low-growing and stays rather demure in my rock garden all summer. Then, around this time of year, what was green and subdued explodes in classic pink blooms. Sedum spurium John Creech erupts in color earlier than some of the Tall Sedums do. For example, in my garden, the Tall Sedum called Autumn Joy is just now gearing up to show the color of its blooms, with Sedum spurium John Creech serving as the opening act that is getting me excited about the days to come.

Coreopsis loves a good and long stretch of bright sunlight each day to do its best. And the Panicle Hydrangea varieties are the same in terms of being sun lovers, although I have seen a neighbor’s shaded Panicle Hydrangea do just fine. Even that Panicle Hydrangea, planted in a spot that does not get much sun, shows off blooms that are equal to those of my sun-bathing shrubs. Sedum spurium John Creech can handle dappled shade, despite its appreciation for the sun. And like its many cousins, Sedum spurium John Creech does not mind drying out a bit. Drooping and wilting are not part of its repertoire. I think that even if it does feel a little parched or too hot, it is too proud to show it. 

Sedum spurium John Creech, Autumn Joy Stonecrop, and other varieties of Sedum grow so easily from even the most hastily chopped cuttings, I know there would be no issue with taking some of my existing plants and dividing them to get them to multiply. This is a good mid-July task, as it leaves time for the cuttings to take root and get ready for next year. Still, I think there is enough time now, in August, to do a little of the same.

I guess that slowing down in the garden when August rolls around is warranted. But let’s not slow down completely. In addition to dividing and transplanting such plants as Sedum spurium John Creech, we can use the month to punctuate our days of relaxing with a few days of planting a new shrub or grouping of perennials. 

I cannot sing the praises of the Panicle Hydrangea, Coreopsis, and Sedum spurium John Creech enough. For fall color plus colorful blooms for right now, in August… these are my “go-to” choices. I am sure you have additional favorites. Whatever they may be, let’s make a plan to get a few of them into the ground this August. August is by no means the end of gardening season.