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URI Outreach Center

Great Plants for Fall

Plant Pro

Autumn is the one of the best times of the year to garden. Not only is the temperature cool and crisp, but the sights of the landscape are enriched with vibrant colors.

It is ideal to start planting around the end of September or six weeks before the first frost. It is important to plant everything in the garden before the temperature drops to around 40°C so the warm soil has time to encourage root growth. This will better equip the plant's roots for heat and droughts of the summer months since the root system will be better established. Also, plants put in the ground during the fall need less water to survive and flourish since there is less heat stress and photosynthesis is slowed.

Fall is also a great season to plant for your own benefit. The temperatures are comfortable and garden centers often offer big discounts. Not only will your garden look beautiful but you will save money.

Listed below are some plants with special autumn interest.

Franklinia Tree

Height: 15-20 Ft
Sun Exposure: Sun to partial shade
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mid summer to Late Fall
Other: Unusual showy white flowers in the Fall. Requires consistently moist soil

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Height: 6-15 ft
Sun Exposure: Sun to partial shade
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Early Summer
Other: Fabulous red berries in the Autumn. Attractive to bees, butterflies, and/or birds

Leadwort - Plumbago

Height: 6-12 inches
Sun Exposure: Sun to partial shade
Bloom Color: Medium blue
Bloom Time: Late summer to Mid Fall
Other: Resistant to deer; long bloom time; great Fall color.

Sedum Angelina

Height: under 6 inches (perennial groundcover)
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Early Fall
Other: Requires consistently moist soil

Flame Grass (Miscanthus purpuranscens)

Height: 36-48 inches
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Color: Silver/ gray
Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall
Other: Beautiful red color in the Fall. Attractive to bees, butterflies, and/or birds Drought tolerant Resistant to deer

October 19, 2007

Renewable Energy Siting Partnership Stakeholder Meeting #4

When: December 1, 2011, 6pm - 9pm
Where: Hazard Rooms @ URI Coastal Institute Bldg, Narragansett Bay Campus
Details: The focus of this meeting will be presentations on the acoustic impacts of wind turbines and project economics. Attendees must RSVP to Amber Neville at 401.874.6106 or amber@crc.uri.edu due to space limitations.
Directions

The meeting is open to the public, and all are welcome, as the goal is to have a diverse and well-rounded stakeholder process. A light dinner will be provided from 5:30-6pm.

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Holidays in the Park

When: December 10, 2011, 11am - 2pm
Where: Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, Providence RI
Details: Admission-free with donation of a nonperishable good to be donated to RI Food Bank

Escape from the cold outdoors and join us in celebrating the holidays! Activities will include demos on do-it- yourself decorations just in time for the holidays, exciting educational crafts for kids, live music, gifts for every gardener, a raffle and more surprises to come.

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Renewable Energy Siting Partnership (RESP) Wind Resource Assessment Lecture

When: January 24, 2012, 6pm - 7pm
Where: North Kingstown Free Library
Details: URI researchers will present their current work related to the wind resource assessment component of the Renewable Energy Siting Partnership.

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