EXTENDING FALL COLOR IN THE GARDEN

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By Bonnie McNamee

As fall approaches and temperatures cool down what a nice time to be out in the garden.  The trees are beginning to change color and while our gardens may not be at their peak as in July, there are many ways to boost and extend great fall color.

Annuals such as geraniums, begonias, salvias, lantana and others will stay beautiful through the fall until frost.  Some annuals including geraniums, celosia and dianthus transplant very well from the ground to pots.  Placed on your covered porch or deck, these potted plants can be protected from early frost conditions and extend color into late fall.   

Ornamental kale (Brassica oleracae) is grown for its colorful foliage and as temperatures cool down, the color intensifies.  These showy plants take center stage in the garden and will tolerate light frost with ease.  The leaves are frilly and when planted alongside potted mums offer eye catching color and texture.  They are also container friendly.    

In late summer Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Hylatephium telephium) develops its green flower heads, which turn a lovely pink in September.  As a pollinator, this plant not only brings color to the garden, it brings butterflies, bees and moths.

Ornamental grasses take on that fantastic fall dried look with their color changes and aging seed heads.  Some grasses can be invasive so take that into consideration when planting.

Fall pansies (Viola species) are popular, bright and bring lots of color to the garden.  They love the cold, go dormant through the winter, and bloom again in the spring.  They look especially nice in mass plantings as well as in containers.  A faux pumpkin filled with pansies on your front steps or by the front door would add lots of color.  

New England Aster (Aster novae-anglias) is a native plant in the Northeast that provides nectar and habitat to butterflies, bees and birds.  Asters come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Showy flower colors are blue, pink, purple and white and a wonderful addition for the fall garden.  It’s drought tolerant, great in containers and is low maintenance. 

These plants are just a sampling to extending fall color in your garden.  They are tried and true plants that are easy to grow.  Take a little time out and enjoy the fall color in your garden, the trees, the flowers, the birds and bees, it’s all around you.   


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