Sept. 1 Column: Friends of Manito Fall Plant Sale

The garden event everyone in the Inland Northwest has been waiting for is coming up rapidly! That’s the Friends of Manito Fall Plant Sale, and it just happens to be the topic of this week’s garden column. Here’s a link to it in The Spokesman-Review: Eye-catching array as autumn looms. (or you can read my column underneath the video below)

There are two aspects of the Friends of Manito plant sales that I love: first, they do a great job of selecting plants that are both knockouts and do well in our climate, and second, all proceeds for the sale go into Manito Park improvements. That’s a win-win in my book!

At the very bottom of this email, you’ll see photos of some of the amazing plants on offer. It’s always good to have a game plan (a.k.a. shopping list!) ahead of time. That’s the most efficient way of snagging the plants you just can’t live without. On the Friends of Manito website, there is a plant list that includes the attributes of each one. That’s a great place to start.

This week’s “Everyone Can Grow a Garden!” video is my next update on how our vegetable garden is doing. Lots of changes!

Garden column: Friends of Manito fall plant sale

by Susan Mulvihill

I am struggling with the realization that fall is just around the corner. But there is a lot to look forward to: glorious days, colorful foliage and the Friends of Manito’s legendary fall plant sale.

Friends of Manito fall plant sale offerings

Scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the sale will be held just east of the Gaiser Conservatory in Spokane’s Manito Park. It will feature over 200 varieties of sun- and shade-loving perennials, ornamental grasses, groundcovers, shrubs and edible plants.

After perusing the online plant list, there are several that just might be destined for a spot in my landscape and perhaps in yours, too. My criteria are low maintenance and eye-catching blossoms or interesting foliage. If they attract pollinators and are deer-resistant, so much the better.

Fall-blooming perennials at Friends of Manito fall plant sale

Nothing says fall like chrysanthemums, which bloom prolifically and are hardy down to USDA zone 4. Look for Triumph (butterscotch blossoms), Shaman’s Vision (white blooms) and Purple Waters (rosy-purple). The first two will grow in full sun to part shade but Purple Waters needs full sun to grow well.

Another reliable fall bloomer is the New England aster. Purple Dome grows 18 inches tall and wide and is hardy down to zone 3. It attracts pollinators and prefers full sun.

Coreopsis, or tickseed, is one of those perky standouts in the garden. While I’m attracted to the abundant yellow blossoms and lacy foliage of Creme Brulee, the fiery orange flowers of Crazy Cayenne also warrant a close look. Sun-loving coreopsis attracts pollinators, grows up to 18 inches tall, and is hardy to zone 5.

One plant that wasn’t initially on my radar is Sunstruck false sunflower (Heliopsis). While its plentiful golden flowers are cheerful, the delicately variegated foliage has won me over. The plants are also a manageable height of 16 inches. Hardy to zone 4, Sunstruck will grow in full sun to part shade and is sure to bring in the bees.

Always popular with gardeners, coneflowers (Echinacea) really stand out in flower beds with their brightly-colored blossoms. I love how easy they are to care for as well as their long bloom period. The flowers are pollinator magnets and I always leave their seed heads in place for the birds to nibble on during the winter. There will be several offerings at the sale but Canary has really caught my eye with its 5-inch-wide yellow flowers, drought tolerance and hardiness down to zone 3.

If you’ve got shade and love hostas, but are plagued by slugs, listen to this: Rainforest Sunrise is slug-resistant          due to the thickness of its foliage. The leaves are light green to start, then  develop dark green borders with gold centers. Hardy to zone 4, this plant will grow 10 inches tall and sounds like a winner to me.

What else is at the Friends of Manito fall plant sale?

In addition to a large variety of plants, shoppers can check out the home and garden decor, live music and petting zoo. Master Gardeners and pollinator experts will be available to answer questions.

All proceeds from the fall plant sale will support Manito Park improvements. Members of the Friends of Manito will receive 10 percent off their plant purchases; new members can join during the sale.

Susan Mulvihill is co-author, with Pat Munts, of “Northwest Gardener’s Handbook.” Contact her at Susan@susansinthegarden.com. Watch this week’s “Everyone Can Grow a Garden” video on youtube.com/c/susansinthegarden.

Friends of Manito Fall Plant Sale details

When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7

Where: East of Manito Park’s Gaiser Conservatory, 4 W. 21st Ave.

Details: Visit thefriendsofmanito.org for plant lists and photos.

(end of column)

OK, here are more plant photos from the Friends of Manito fall plant sale! First of all, that lovely yellow flower with the variegated leaves at the very top of this post is ‘Sunstruck’ false sunflower (Heliopsis). I am in love with this one. The photo of the huge pink flower is a hardy hibiscus.

Remember that you can click on any of the photos to view a much larger image.

Here are the three lovely chrysanthemums I mentioned in my column:

   

‘Crazy Cayenne’ tickseed (Coreopsis) (above)

  

Above left: Hummingbird mint (Agastache). Above right: ‘Stand By Me’ clematis (non-vining)

‘Rainforest Sunrise’ hosta (slug-resistant!!) (above)