Part 2....Fall Invasives...Garlic Chives...

Garlic Chives are another one of my Fall Invasive's that I love. Garlic Chives get such a bum rap but not by this gardener or nor by all the many varieties of pollinators that flock to them this time of year.

These chives look similar to the regular chives except that their leaves are flat blades rather than the thin hollow roundish leaves of regular chive.  Another difference is that the regular chive blooms in the spring as a delightful pink puff. These blooms make an exceptional vinegar that turns a beautiful pink hue. But back to my Fall Chives....

Allium tuberous  are one of the oldest herbs recorded. In fact over 4,000 to 5,000 years ago.  They grow in clumps and have very fibrous small onion like roots, which are not edible. However, the flower head and leaves are great additions to vinegars, salads,soups, compound butters, soft cheeses, just about any where you want a mild garlic accent. 

I love them along the borders of my gardens, I keep them from getting to lanky by frequent haircuts during the growing season. Then when I notice the stem coming up I back off the haircuts. They have  minimal requirements and reliably return each year. 

When they are done blooming the heads transform into a really decorative seed pod. But beware this is when they become dangerous.   So it is off with their heads time or else you will have garlic chives absolutely everywhere. Please heed this warning unless you want a 100% chive garden. 

But I love the amount of pollinators that swarm over them from bees, to butterflies to lightning bugs.... this time of year my garden is a Chive Blossom Party. 

Not to be forgotten are all the wonderful companion planting properties of these plants.  They love and aid roses, grapes, tomatoes, and even help with scab on apples. I often use them as a green mulch around the bases of my apple trees. 

All these reasons are why when grown with caution these guys are a win/win. 

BASIL BECKY..... Gardening from the Heart: Love My Fall Invasives Part 1 - Fall Blooming Clem...

BASIL BECKY..... Gardening from the Heart: Love My Fall Invasives Part 1 - Fall Blooming Clem...:           Fall..I love it, but when I need blooms I sing the praises of some old fashion favorites that get a bad rap. I know what yo...

Love My Fall Invasives Part 1 - Fall Blooming Clematis

          Fall..I love it, but when I need blooms I

sing the praises of some old fashion favorites that get a bad rap. I know what you all will be saying, these plants are invasive. Yes, they can be, but at this time of year plentiful white blooms add so much. So I work aggressively with my favorites and it makes my pollinators and neighbors so happy!!
          This is Fall Blooming Clematis. It blooms this time of year for several weeks. Every year  I have so many people stop and ask me about this plant.  I do not have a hard time controlling this plant but I am very aware, and the wow factor is so worth it.

       
           Plus the bees love it and it smells out of this world..... I have great fencing for it to aggressively climb over so

I let it spread....

Here are facts about this fall beauty from an article I published on this plant for Kentucky Gardener.

Clematis paniculata ( C. terniflora)  will quickly cover a bare fence or an unsightly shed.  It can easily grow up to 30 ft, but I have found it is easily controlled with pruning in the spring.  

Common Name: Fall Blooming Clematis or Sweet Autumn Clematis

Botanical Name: Clematis paniculata ( C.terniflora)

Color: White Star shaped flowers with dark green leaves

Blooming Period: August through September

Zone: 4-8 S/ 4-10 W

Type: Perennial (readily self seeds, lots of babies to give away or transplant to different locations)

Size: Can grow up to 30 ft in a season. Does best when it can spread out as well as up…and needs just a bit of guidance at first!

Exposure: Full to Part Sun (needs at least 6 hours of sun)

When to Plant: They need to be planted in the early spring, when they are small and manageable. Plus this will help encourage proper growth and abundant flowering.

How to Plant: Plant in amended soil, making sure the crown is at least 1 to 2 inches below the surface. Take care that the hole is deep and wide enough to fit the existing root system. Cut the existing stems back to 1 foot in height to encourage branching while growing.

Soil:  I amend the soil with compost to help with drainage and soil aeration.

Watering: Regular deep weekly watering .Because of the deep root system, this plant prefers regular thorough watering during the season. About 1 inch of water per week.  

When to Prune: Prune in February or March to encourage proper growth and more prolific flowering

When to Fertilize:  I mulch with compost during the season making sure not to put too close around the crown. Other than that an occasional feeding of miracle grow will keep this heavy feeder happy.

This beauty adorns my wooden fence, it holds court with the spikes of the blue Russian sage, purple butterfly bush and white garlic chive blossoms all adding their touches to a stunning last hooray! It can be used as a ground cover but there is no question that this beauty is best displayed growing up and out! It is like a mountain of glistening snow in September!!!  

I do make sure and cut it down, pruning is the key. If you skip this step, you will not have blooms the following year and will have many seedlings.

So please don't be afraid. When I drive down to visit my daughter in Georgia this time of year, I see this growing in the woods along I40. It adds a highlight to the fall forest.  

Stay tune for the next Fall Invasive Beauty...