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October Color

Candlestick Tree
Cassia alata
A shrub-like, usually root-hardy perennial for tucking into the back of perennial borders. May not survive our most severe winters without some protection.

Blooms: Bright yellow, in long clusters, in October, November and December.
Leaves: Large and compound, reminiscent of coarse fern leaves. Individual leaflets are 3 ins long, but the leaf "stalk" may be several feet.
Height: to 8 feet in our climate
Soils: Fairly adaptable. Grows well in average garden conditions.
Light: Full sun
Uses: As a single speciment, mixed with shrubs, or in back of large flower beds. Cut plant back to the roots after the first killing frost, and cover with mulch. Other species of tropical cassia, including C. splendida, C. bicapsularis and C. corymbosa may survive the winter here, but all are somewhat tender and will need some protection during the coldest winters.

Link to Fall blooming azaleas

Mexican tarragon, Mexican Marigold
Tagetes lucida
A large perennial with excellent fall bloom. Also an excellent herb that may be used in cooking as a substitute for french tarragon.

Blooms: Bright orange-yellow, in clusters, September until frost.
Leaves: Sharply fragrant, elongated.
Height: Typically to 3 or 4 feet.
Soils: Drought tolerant, prefers light dry, very well -drained soils. Excellent for sandy west Mobile gardens. In wet areas, grow in raised beds.
Light: Full sun.
Uses: Mixed with other flowers in the the flower border, or in herb beds. herbaceous perennial for zones 7-11

Cardinal spear, Firespike
Odontonema strictum

An increasingly popular tropical perennial with lush foliage and distinctive, wax-like flowers.
Blooms: Brilliant red,tubularon 6 inch spikes in October, November and December. Popular as a hummingbird plant.
Leaves: Large and thick, lush green.
Height: To 4 feet in our climate.
Soils: Grows well in average garden conditions, but prefers moist, humus rich soil.
Light: Half-day's sun is best. Full afternoon sun burns foliage.
Uses: Can be mixed with shrubs and other perennials.
waxy leaves request afternoon shade

Swamp sunflower
Helianthus angustifolia
A large and vigorous perennial with prolific, sunflower-like blooms in October.

Blooms: Bright golden yellow with dark centers, 5 inches wide.
Leaves: Very long and thin, distinctive.
Height: From 4 to 8 feet, depending on soils.
Soils: Fairly adaptable. Grows most vigorously in moist soils, but does fine in average garden soils. Drier soils will help keep the plant smaller and more contained.
Light: Full sun
Uses: Very popular in Mobile as a "fence flower" - the fence provides support for the tall stalk, and the flowers nod at passersby. Under ideal conditions, swamp sunflower will spread. Thin out unwanted plants in spring. excellent glossy green linear foliage, lofty growth, bright yellow daisies, and native adaptation characterize this beauty. Shearing once or twice in early summer will keep the height down without losing flowers.

Savory hybrid
Satureja X

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