Even though summer has just begun, gardeners need to start planning now for fall foliage and blooms. Excited as I am about the bounty and beauty summer will bring, I know autumn is close behind, and we gardeners always have to think a season ahead. Autumn offers a second chance to enjoy our gardens reborn in a new wave of vibrant colors.
So what to plant now for fall color? Consider a mix of perennials, shrubs, ornamental grasses and annuals that will be showy until the first frost. Shrubs are perfect for fall foliage and blooms. For instance, Tiny Wine Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolious) delivers richly hued foliage that will last the entire season, with pink and white blooms appearing in late spring. If you love roses, the Knock Out varieties are great for fall blooms.
One sure way to have lots of color is with fall-blooming perennials such as asters, Japanese anemones and numerous species of salvia. And no fall garden is complete without ornamental grasses. These come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, everything from the small sea urchin fescue all the way up to one of my favorites, ‘Cheyenne Sky’ Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum).
Annuals are perfect for early fall. Plant them now so they will be colorful until the first frost. Two with autumn-themed colors include ColorBlaze Keystone Kopper Coleus, which has vivid copper foliage that rivals any bloom in a fall landscape, and Luscious Bananarama Lantana, which will give you a heap of saturated yellow blooms.
To make sure your new plants go the distance and make it to autumn, provide them with healthy soil and water. Feed your soil with an organic commercial fertilizer or work in some compost. Deep-soak your flower beds and containers in early morning. If you water during the heat of the day, moisture tends to evaporate before plants can soak up an adequate amount. And apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around your plants to retain moisture and keep the soil cool. With just a little attention, your plants will be happy and ready to shine when summer transitions to fall.
Photos: Mark Fonville
[P. Allen Smith, host of two public television programs, is an award-winning designer and gardening expert. He is the author of several books, including Seasonal Recipes from the Garden.]
