Flowertown Bound

Don’t wait until next spring to enjoy vibrant color in the garden again,” says Charlene Moore, co-owner of Flowertown Garden Center. With 15 years of experience leading Summerville’s most respected garden center, Moore knows how to keep landscapes lively well beyond summer, and helps Flowertown’s customers extend the growing season with curated plant options.

For those who delight in the bold hues of spring and summer blooms, Moore offers expert advice: The fall coastal landscape still has plenty to offer. A wide variety of colorful plants thrive through October and even into November if nighttime temperatures remain mild. Plus, planting in the fall gives trees and shrubs a valuable root-boosting head start by encouraging strong root growth on which the plant can build in future seasons.

“Fall is an optimum planting time in the Lowcountry, since our ground never freezes,” says Moore. “Southern gardeners have a unique opportunity to extend the blooming season. By planting in September, October and November, fall plants will overwinter, with soil temperatures warm enough that roots are given a chance to grow and establish themselves. They will put all their energy into rooting so when spring comes around, they can turn their focus solely to blooming and foliating.”

Perennials, shrubs and trees that bloom in the fall can be planted throughout the Lowcountry’s mild autumn, keeping the yard vibrant until the holiday season. Flowering perennials, such as Gaillardia—also known as Blanket Flower—thrive in a coastal environment, with long-lasting bicolor blooms in red and yellow. Similarly, pink Beach Rose blooming shrubs tolerate the strong winds typical in maritime environments. Several cultivars and colors of Lantana will bloom in the Charleston fall garden, as will Pink Muhly Grass and Oleander. Although not colorful, the sword-like leaves of Yucca shrubs add eye-catching drama to the fall landscape, are low maintenance, and handle heat and drought well.

Several trees that produce colorful flowers in the fall are hardy and adaptable to the coastal area’s salty spray and brackish water, such as Southern Magnolia, Wax Myrtle, Red Maple and Black Gum. “As native trees, they require less water and fertilizer and have fewer pests than non-native species,” Moore explains.

Wandering through Flowertown’s grounds to find the perfect fall specimens feels like a stroll through a botanical garden full of possibilities, and not simply a retail space. Thoughtfully arranged displays showcase a stunning variety of unique plant material, trees, fountains, pottery and much more—all carefully designed to help customers bring beauty and creativity to their outdoor spaces.

Flowertown’s huge inventory of garden art, which includes statues, wrought iron and fountains, adds another element of interest to the fall landscape, filling in where deciduous shrubs may be beginning to die back. Flowertown’s 13 themed specialty gift shops also house a wide variety of unique finds, some of which can be incorporated as conversation-starters in the landscape.

If what works best is a pop of color through a carefully placed and curated combination pot, Moore has the answer. She personally designs stand-alone pots full of seasonally appropriate combinations of flowers for her customers who request the service. “Just bring me your containers, and I will either advise you on what to plant for a showy fall masterpiece, or I will fill one or more containers with a custom design that you can plug into your landscape or place on the porch,” says Moore. This popular bespoke service allows Flowertown’s customers to experience an expert’s horticultural touch at their homes while increasing curb appeal.

Flowertown is a one-stop shop for plants, garden décor, specialty gifts and landscaping supplies. Spread across three cultivated, beautifully maintained acres, the garden center’s inventory is expansive, making it easy to find something on every gardener’s wish list. Visit Flowertown Garden Center at 410 E. 5th N St. in Summerville or at flowertowngardencenterllc.com.