Out with the old, in with the new: Time for cool-season color in the Louisiana garden

Garden centers are an explosion of color right now. You can find a wide variety of cool-season annuals. LSU AgCENTER PHOTO BY RANDY LaBAUVE The Amazon and Jolt series of dianthus are cold hardy and can last into spring.

LSU AgCENTER PHOTO BY RANDY LaBAUVE Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunias are a vibrant choice for cool-season gardens. LSU AgCENTER PHOTO BY RANDY LaBAUVE Sorbet violas grow in short, tidy clumps, making them a great option for the fronts of beds in the cool season. LSU AgCENTER PHOTO BY RANDY LaBAUVE Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The familiar saying “out with the old, in with the new” is probably not something many folks associate with fall or winter.

The adage is more likely to conjure visions of activities like spring cleaning — and the sense of renewal that comes with that season. But guess what? In our Louisiana landscapes, November marks the beginning of another season of rejuvenation. Because we typically have mild winters, our gardens can remain full of life rather than going dormant.

We can grow a wide range of plants during the cool season, including colorful bedding plants that thrive specifically at this time of year. So it’s time to say out with the old — in this case, warm-season bedding plants — and in with some new plants that are suited for the cool season. November is the perfect time to make this switch in your flower beds and containers.

Your first step is to remove all of the annuals you plante.