Ask most folks about "fall color" and they'll picture trees turning shades of red, orange, and yellow.  Here at the Haven, on the other hand, we think about all the plants that will bloom until frost. These provide honey bees with critical late-season honey-making resources; other bees and butterflies use these late bloomers as well.

I wrote about fall planting a few weeks ago.  Here are some recent photos from the garden showing our version of "fall color."

Asters

Although they still go by the common name of aster, the New World plants in this group are now in the genus Symphyotrichum.  Here's one of the largest, Symphyotrichum 'Bill's Big Blue' with many honey bees working its flowers. 'Bill' is a big guy, so be sure to give him plenty of room to spread and sprawl.

Aster 'Bill's Big Blue' in bloom at the Haven

Ceanothus

Ceanothus, or California lilac?  What is this winter- and spring-blooming group doing in an article about fall-blooming plants? While most plants in the genus Ceanothus are native to California, there are a few that are not.  In the Haven we grow the hybrid 'Topaz', which is a cross between a central American species, C. caeruleus, and two closely-related deciduous species, C. herbaceus and C. americanus; these two are native east of the Rockies. 'Topaz' is decidous and blooms in summer and fall.

Sunflowers

The last sunflower to bloom at the Haven is the native swamp sunflower, Helianthus angustifolius.  As the name suggests this one needs regular irrigation; this is a reminder that not all California natives can get by without summer water.  While it may be hard to remember now, there are parts of our state that remain moist all year! To give it the water it needs, grow this one next to irrigated turf or in a container. 

Zinnias

Pretty, easy-to-grow, and great for bees.  What more could you want in a flower? We sow zinnia seeds directly into the garden. Do this in May for summer bloom and again in August for blooms that will go until frost.

Zinnia in bloom at the Haven