Fall Fantasy: Designing for Fall Color

 

Imagine an October walk through the forest. The air is crisp, the birds are drifting their way south, and everywhere you look Mother Nature is utilizing every color on her palette. From gold to orange to crimson, the leaves and berries seem to glisten with color. 

 

But this doesn’t have to be a fantasy. With the right plants, Mother Nature can put on a show right there in your own garden.  In the midst of so many, here are a few plants that we think will really make your yard fantastic

 

 

October Glory Red Maple - Just like pumpkins and football, Maples are a Fall icon. While not only being a stupendous shade tree, October Glory “leaves” the best for last. Brilliant red and orange leaves pop from the branches after all the other maples have turned. Other Fall Maple classics include Sun Valley, Autumn Blaze, and Red Sunset.

 

Crape Myrtle – When most people think of Crape Myrtles a big shrub comes to mind, but these autumn wonders can make great trees too! Glossy summer leaves turn to shades of gold and burgundy in autumn and are topped with feathery spikes of flowers ranging from red to coral, and lavender to violet. Some of our favorites are Tonto, Nana Lavender, and Dynamite.

 

Japanese Stewartia – These trees are all-season performers. Bright green spring leaves are followed by a profusion of camellia-like flowers in summer. In autumn, the Stewartia changes veils again and puts on a color show of orange, red, and purple leaves. Finally, during the winter months, leaves are replaced with flaking bark that has shades of green, terra-cotta, and cream. Whew! Whatever the season, the Japanese Stewartia is sure to please everyone.

 

 

Snowball Bush – This hardy Viburnum is a must-have for any fall garden. Not only are the colossal spring flowers quite an eye-show, the autumn foliage cannot be beat. Its maple-like leaves flash purples, reds, and yellows on their way to winter.

 

Beauty Berry – This medium-sized shrub is a great backdrop for other flowering plants during the spring and summer. However, when fall hits, Beauty Berries take center stage with rosy purple foliage and an abundance of polished purple berries that glisten in the autumn sun and hang on well into winter. If you like white berries instead you might consider the Japanese Beauty Berry for an equally impressive specimen.

 

Burning Bush – No other autumn plant can compare to the flaming-red foliage of the Burning Bush. Dense, dark green leaves make it a great hedge plant during the summer, but good things come to those who wait. Intense, red color beams from the leaves all autumn long.  After the leaves have dropped the dense corky stems provide a unique structured look through the winter.

 

Now imagine walking through your own fall garden. The maples are changing and the Beauty Berries are wrapped in purple. If this sounds too good to be true, why not come and visit us and see how far your imagination can take you.