Love to look at gorgeous fall leaves? For those longing for a spectacular landscape past the traditional summer display of flowering plants, plenty of options abound. Show stopping trees, seasonal shrubs and fall blooming perennials can bring a burst of autumn color to your yard. All it takes is a little forward thinking and knowledge about the basics of fall leaf colors.
Do a little homework first. Find out which plants have the best autumnal shows from your nursery. Or talk to your neighbors and ask if they can identify their fall beauties by variety and where to purchase them.
Think Trees
Whether you are starting your landscape from scratch or updating an existing one, there are several types of plants that will award you with autumnal glory.
Autumn, with its milder temperatures, is the perfect time to plant young trees while you’re enjoying the display of more established ones.
Seek Out Sensational Shrubs
Shrubs may be the best way to fire up the fall landscape. They grow on a smaller scale than trees and are admired at eye level. Their size also means it’s easier to find spots for them in an existing landscape, and they won’t create unwanted shade. As an added bonus, you get to enjoy their spring and summer appearance before they take center stage.
Plant Perennial Favorites
Who can resist the head-turning charm of chrysanthemums or the carefree look of goldenrod or the colorful allure of an aster? Fall-blooming perennials are a terrific way to liven up an end-of-the-season garden. Most are hardy and their dried seed heads provide interest in the winter landscape (as well as nourishment for the birds).
Choose Your Favorite Fall Leaf Colors
Autumn is all about color! So when considering it, think flowers and foliage. While both can set the scene, dazzling foliage usually spans the seasons. Barberry, native grasses, burning bush and white ash are just a few of the plants whose foliage deserves and end-of-the season standing ovation.
Dare to be Different
One of the biggest joys in savoring autumn is discovering the surprises least expected. Sometimes, the placid purples and brazen blues of ornamental kale and cabbage steal the seasonal scene. Ornamental grasses that boast metallic-blue blades, topped by reddish brown cloud-like plumes, are out of the ordinary fall pleasers.
Add Evergreen Backdrops
Dark green conifers or laurel hedge make a beautiful dark wall behind colorful shrubs. Yellow or multi-hued fall displays look better than dark reds when planted against evergreens.
Find the Right Spot
The time to think and dream about autumn leaf colors is in the fall. Walk around your property as the gardening year winds down and take a long, hard look. Where do you need lively, brilliant color? Where would it be welcome?
Strengths in Numbers
Plant brilliant shrubs and fall blooming perennials in groups, either in small gatherings or as a long hedge. When joined together, they make a much bolder statement.
Solo Leaf Color Shines
When sited in the middle of a lawn or set off from similar size plants, some plants, especially larger shrubs and ornamental trees, look spectacular in the fall. The lowering autumn sun can sometimes cause some dramatic backlighting effects, especially in the evening hours.
