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The sad time has come to say goodbye to the red summer. Gradually the entire fraternity of trees and shrubs is dressed in gold and crimson. What a beautiful, unsurpassed play of various shades of yellow and red flowers. And in crystal clear blue sky The cranes are already calling. Goodbye summer! Nature puts on an elegant dress at the farewell banquet. No wonder the poet called this time “the charm of the eyes.”
According to the calendar, as you know, autumn begins on the first of September. Astronomers consider the beginning of autumn to be the day of the autumnal equinox - September 22, and meteorologists - the date of a stable transition of the average daily air temperature through 10 degrees to lower temperatures. The transition of the average daily temperature through 5 degrees is a sign of the end of the growing season. Autumn is usually divided into two periods. The first lasts from the first frost until the end of November, and the second - from the end of November to the beginning of winter. The first frosts are the beginning of autumn. But behind them, as a rule, warm and dry weather begins, the so-called “Indian summer” begins. In these days of golden autumn, it’s as if summer is returning again, and a number of plants are blooming again. But this joyful, colorful period autumn time very short.
Phenologists believe that autumn begins with the beginning of a noticeable yellowing of leaves on trees and bushes. IN different years leaves turn yellow at different times. The leaves on the birch trees turn yellow first, later on the linden, then the bird cherry; the branches, crowns, and viburnum bushes turn purple. Yellowing of leaves and November are the most characteristic features autumn. Why do leaves turn yellow in autumn? I hear this question more than once from different people. In summer, the leaves are green due to the presence of a large amount of green pigment - chlorophyll. But, in addition to chlorophyll, the leaf also contains yellow-orange pigments - carotene and xanthophyll. In summer, the pigments are masked by chlorophyll, so the leaf appears green. In autumn, chlorophyll breaks down and yellow-orange pigments give leaves golden and orange tones. But, in addition to yellow, on many trees and plants the leaves acquire even more diverse shades: from red-purple to purple flowers. This is explained by the presence in the cells of leaves of a special colored substance - anthocyanin. With cooling, the anthocyanin content increases, because low temperatures And bright light contribute to its formation.
No less characteristic of autumn is the falling of leaves from trees and. This phenomenon cannot be explained only by the onset of cold weather, as some believe. If you transplant a tree into a room or greenhouse where the temperature does not drop, it will still shed its leaves. This is because by autumn a special corky layer forms at the base of the leaf petioles. This layer separates the leaf from the plant. A light blow is enough and the leaf falls off. By November, a lot of substances accumulate in the leaves, not needed by the plant, and with the fall of leaves these substances are removed from the plant. November, like the change in leaf color, is associated with a change in the vital activity of plant organisms in connection with preparation for unfavorable winter conditions. This vital adaptation has been developed over thousands of years under the influence of climatic features temperate zone. After all, with leaves, trees would not be able to survive in the harsh winter conditions. During the warm period, trees, for example, evaporate about seven thousand kilograms of water through their leaves... If a birch tree were left with leaves for the winter, it would die from lack of water, since in winter it is impossible to take it from the soil in such quantities... Another thing is coniferous trees, they do not shed their clothes for the winter, and due to the special structure of their needle-like leaves-needles, they evaporate very little water, and therefore they are not afraid of winter water hunger.
Gradually the leaves fall from the trees and bushes, but the herbaceous plants still retain their green. True, many of them already have yellowed stems and leaves, and many plants are still blooming. Some plants bloom again only occasionally, and for some, repeated flowering in the fall has become almost commonplace. Plants such as adonis, fragrant violet, marigold, cuckoo flower, forest anemones and a number of others often bloom again. Peculiar plants especially promote re-blooming weather conditions autumn, when after a cold snap there comes a long warming.
Some plants, in particular weeds, can bloom, as they say, from snow to snow, that is, from early spring and up to late autumn. Among them are chickweed or woodlice, talaban (jarutka) and others. In autumn, later forms of some plant species can also be found with flowers. These are eyebright, tenacious, field violet, gravilat, etc. These species bloom in early summer, seem to disappear later, and bloom again in the fall. Such seasonal forms individual species plants have still been very little studied.
Some autumn-flowering species are plants that bloom in the second half of summer and continue to bloom in the fall. Chicory, cinquefoil, crow's feet, some, carnations, tansy, cinquefoil and others bloom late. In damp places the succession is still blooming.
And there are also types of plants that bloom only in autumn. Among them, first of all, it should be noted that this is a plant that is very interesting in its biology. They also open up only in autumn yellow flowers autumn sternbergia of the Amaryllis family. This rare plant is found in our Odessa region and Crimea. In autumn, autumn snowdrops, some types of saffrons, etc. bloom. Finally they too fade. Early winter is coming, and the first loose white snow will cover the ground.
Every season is wonderful in its own way. The weather outside the window has great influence to all living things that surround us. Therefore, winter and spring, summer and autumn play a big role in the life of plants.
Plants blooming in spring
In spring the days become longer and sun rays It's getting warmer. It is during this period that absolutely all plants begin to grow, bud and reach for sunlight. In order for plant growth to be progressive, frequent and abundant moisture is necessary, especially if the soil was not covered with snow.
The very first spring flowers are small-bulbous, for example, galanthus, dwarf irises, crocuses, chionodoxes and pushkinias.
And in April, daffodils, botanical tulips, hyacinths, as well as Siberian blueberries and imperial hazel grouse begin to bloom.
Closer to May, beautiful perennials bloom: primroses, oak and buttercup scillas, forest corydalis and sugar lungworts.
The life of the bushes is also restored in the spring. The earliest are: wolf's bast, forsythia, red elderberry and Japanese spirea. Towards mid-spring, Japanese quince, holly mahonia, steppe almond and three-lobed Louiseania begin to bloom.
May is the most colorful month in the life of plants. Bulbs begin to bloom - tulips, daffodils, mouse hyacinth muscari. Decorative onions and giant onions amaze with their beauty.
Also representatives of spring flowering are forget-me-nots, daisies, and violas. And closer to summer, the following come into their own: bergenia, snow-white lily of the valley, brunnera, dicentra and doronicum.
Of course, it is worth noting the trees that bloom in spring - apricot, apple, pear, cherry, plum and many others.
Plant life in summer
Summer is the peak of life for almost all plants. Warm weather, long sunny days and hydration contribute not only to favorable growth, but also to the ability to accumulate nutrients in order to survive the winter.
Already in the summer, tulips, camellias, cyclamens, hyacinths and daffodils begin to prepare for the next flowering, gaining strength and energy in the summer.
This time of year is the flowering period for many varieties: cleome spiny, roses, evergreen begonia, nasturtium, gazania, snapdragons, marigolds and petunias. They delight with their colors and aroma: mignonette, resin, matthiola, clarkia, gatsania and many other flowers.
The shrubs that bloom in the summer are very beautiful - buddleia, jasmine, spray rose, small hydrangea, rhododendron and spirea. Careopteris, calicanthus, oleander, cinquefoil, cistus, mackerel and clethra - all these shrubs bloom in the warm summer.
At the beginning of summer, cornflowers, bluebells, and daisies grow and bloom in the meadows, and raspberries appear on the forest edges. Jugs can be seen on ponds. Strawberry fruits begin to ripen and the first mushrooms appear.
In mid-summer, the air is saturated with the scent of linden blossoms. And cherries, raspberries, blueberries, currants and gooseberries are covered with numerous fruits.
Changes in plant life in autumn
For almost all plants, autumn is a period of calm or the end of the life cycle. Sunny days becomes less and less, and the air temperature gradually decreases. Annual plants such as peas, cauliflower, dill and others finish their growth and dry out. The same thing happens with annual flowers - calendula, ranunculus, flax, forget-me-nots and others.
In autumn, the leaves of birch become light yellow, those of rowan - crimson-red, those of aspen - orange, and those of alder - dull green. Most trees shed their colorful leaves.
The color of herbs also acquires a special pigment. Blueberries and blueberries turn purple, and blueberries turn bright yellow.
Leaf fall is an integral and not unimportant part of plant life. The cover formed by fallen leaves protects trees from winter frosts and saturates the roots with useful substances.
Not all trees shed their leaves; for example, pine, spruce and juniper are evergreen species. Also, during the cold season, the following plants remain green: heather, wild rosemary, cranberries, lingonberries and other plants.
Trees prepare for winter by producing protective substances on their branches - leathery scales, hair and resinous, waxy substances.
Survive the winter and get started life cycle In spring, lingonberries, wild rosemary, dandelion, daisy, celandine, lungwort, and plantain are capable of growing. Coltsfoot is preserved in the form of bulbs. And in the form of seeds, woodlice, jarutka, shepherd's purse, quinoa and stinging nettle remain.
How do plants live in winter?
Winter is the most difficult period in the life of plants. In autumn, preparations for cold weather, winds and snow occur, changing chemical composition trees and shrubs. Fallen leaves protect the roots from frost and supply the plants with nutrients.
Annual plants do not survive until winter, but perennial plants have time to prepare. Snow cover becomes for them a kind of blanket that can retain heat and maintain moisture levels.
Plants that have shed their leaves go into hibernation. And evergreen species: fir, spruce, pine, juniper, cedar - do not fall asleep, but live off what their needles contain sufficient quantity moisture and minerals. This allows them to survive the most severe frosts.
Autumn fills the garden with bright but sad colors. The green foliage gives way to red, orange, yellow. What about flower beds? The lush flowering ends with the end of summer, and many flower beds look very deserted... But knowing what flowers bloom in the fall, you can revive the garden and, as it were, delay the onset of winter.
There are significantly fewer plants that bloom in autumn than summer and spring bloomers, but enough species are still known to allow any composition to be created.
Autumn flowers
No matter how different the autumn-flowering plants may be, they all have one thing in common - they need short daylight hours to set buds and flower. Below are the most common garden flowers.
Callistephus chinensis is the well-known annual aster, which has been captivating gardeners for many years with its varied inflorescences. There are more than 3,000 varieties, differing in the shape and color of the flowers, their number and the size of the bush. There are dwarf varieties with cushion-shaped bushes, as well as medium- and tall-growing specimens that form columnar or spreading forms.
Flowering times may vary, but, as a rule, most varieties open buds at the end of summer and continue to please the eye until mid-autumn, and in southern regions Without frost, flowering continues into winter.
Callistephus is easy to care for and can grow in any soil, the main thing is to choose a sunny place for planting. It also tolerates partial shade, but this affects the number and size of flowers. It is best to grow this bright flower in seedlings.
Aster is a perennial herbaceous plant that is also known to many. Represents
strongly branched shrub with many small flowers. The leaves resemble those of the annual aster in shape, but are slightly smaller.
Among this culture there are also dwarfs and giants with various shapes bushes The color and size of the flowers also varies. Autumn asters bloom in early September and are full of buds until mid-November.
The plant is generally unpretentious, but the place for planting, as in the case of other perennials, must be thought out in advance.
Croxomia- a magnificent bulbous plant native to Africa. This relative of the iris blooms into late fall with bright orange or red clusters of large flowers. The whole bush looks very decorative - hard sword-shaped leaves and a branched peduncle strewn with buds.
The plant is quite large and reaches a height of up to 70 cm, and also grows significantly in width.
Croxomia is unpretentious and grows in any place where there is no stagnation of moisture. It is planted in spring to a depth of 7-10 cm, depending on the size of the corm. Frost resistance depends on the variety, but most tolerate our winters with shelter in the form of a thick layer of sawdust.
Autumn cereals
Ornamental grasses are another group of species for decorating an autumn garden. As a rule, such plants retain some beauty in winter. Last year's leaves and inflorescences are usually cut off in early spring, before growth begins, unless, of course, shelter is required for the winter (in this case, pruning is carried out in the fall).
Acute reed grass- a fairly tall perennial, its fluffy-looking bushes grow up to one and a half meters high. The leaves of the cereal are quite narrow and tough. Loose panicle inflorescences appear in July and last until cold weather, although they can last through the winter.
Reed grass is unpretentious, it grows best on dry sunny places. In the spring, the leaves and flower stalks remaining after winter are cut off almost close to the ground.
Blue molinia- a compact perennial up to 60 cm high. It forms a spherical loose bush, which is especially decorative in the fall - panicle flowers grow on yellow peduncles, and long narrow leaves acquire a bright yellow color.
In summer, the molinia bush has a uniform bluish color, but there are also variegated varieties. Inflorescences appear in August and last until cold weather.
Boutelua graceful
Flat-leafed flatleaf
Acute reed grass
Blue molinia
Molinia prefers moist, acidic soil and large number sunlight. In regions with harsh winters, shelter is required.
Flat-leafed flatleaf- a herbaceous plant with wide, bamboo-like leaves. Grows up to a meter in height. It is interesting because it changes color throughout the year. The leaves grow light green, and by autumn they gradually acquire a golden color. The inflorescences of this cereal are also noteworthy - they are somewhat reminiscent of hop cones, but flat, as if ironed. They bloom green, but then turn bronze or pink-yellow.
For the full development of color and abundant flowering, the flatbed needs a well-lit location. Loves abundant watering.
Boutelua graceful- a small annual grass native to Mexico. Forms compact loose curtains. The leaves are very thin, but hard and curved at the ends. Special Interest represent the inflorescences of butelua - they appear from July to September, at first red, and then lighten and become straw-colored. They are shaped like miniature brushes and are positioned horizontally.
Butelua grows in any soil and tolerates drought well.
Shrubs blooming in autumn
With all the diversity of herbaceous flora, we should not forget about shrubs.
Hydrangea- a shrub that brings variety to autumn garden. And all because the inflorescences-balls of hydrangea are painted in colors that are unusual for this time of year. Pink, white or blue, they look contrasting against the yellow-orange foliage of surrounding plants. There are hydrangeas blooming in summer, and there are varieties whose time is from late summer to mid-autumn.
This shrub loves fertile soils and abundant watering. Winter hardiness depends on the variety; large-leaved forms are less resistant to cold and require shelter. Often the color of hydrangea inflorescences depends on the acidity of the substrate.
Erica And heather- low-growing evergreen shrubs with unusual scaly leaves. These two species are often confused, but they can be distinguished by their flowering time. Heather blooms in summer, but its flowers remain on the bush all autumn period, already dried, but not lost color.
And Erica is covered with buds in mid-autumn. During flowering, heather bushes and thickets look like pink, lilac or white clouds.
Both species are unpretentious and grow even in poor soils. Ideal for them is a mixture of coniferous soil and sand.
Rose- the queen of the garden known to everyone. Many of its varieties bloom until late autumn.
Features of use in landscape design
Many plants that bloom in autumn have no decorative value in other seasons of the year, while others, on the contrary, are beautiful from spring until the onset of cold weather. When planning a flower garden or any other composition, this must be taken into account.
It should also be remembered that perennials tend to grow significantly.
Compositions
Autumn flora representatives are often used in continuous flowering beds. Low-growing cereals, chrysanthemums, asters and colchicums are perfect for these purposes. There is a place for autumn flowers on alpine slides.
Large sizes look great alone or in small groups. Beautifully flowering specimens look interesting against the background of taller cereals or a mixture of cereals of different types.
Autumn-flowering species, along with others, decorate lawns and the banks of reservoirs; tall ones are planted along fences or outbuildings.
Whatever the composition is conceived, it is important to select plants with similar requirements for soil, watering and lighting.
