Fall Garden Planning

One thing you definitely want to enjoy in the garden in the fall, whether from indoors or out, is the gorgeous colors of fall. From trees and shrubs to flowering plants to ornamental grasses and even garden ornament, the choices are limited only by one's imagination. Every year there seems to be an ever-expanding list of varieties that carry the garden through into colder weather. I think we should take advantage of that fact. After all, isn't the garden where we would really prefer to be on these cold, snowy days (if the truth be told!). As nice as it is to be curled up in front of the fire, if we didn't prefer to be in the garden...why are we reading books and magazines on gardening as we sip our tea and soak in the warmth of the fire?

There are many options to choose from for shrubs and small trees that produce splendid fall color.When planning your fall garden be sure to include things like smoke tree, mountain ash, serviceberry, and different colors of evergreen. Evergreens may all seem green at first glance, but they vary. So take advantage of the difference between them and plant them so that they stand out against each other. Other ideas are to include a red-leafed maple (there are several options of varying growth sizes); white birch; burning bush or sumac.

There are lots of plants that bloom in the fall season. They make a great compliment to colorful leaves on the shrubs and bushes. Play them against some of the plants that are turning brown and they stand out superbly!

Also consider climbing vines such as virginia creeper and trumpet vine. Virginia creeper offers a fantastic display of color before its leaves drop, and has blue berries that remain after the leaves are gone. The trumpet vine has showy yellow or orange trumpet shaped flowers that come in late summer and last into fall, with visible seed pods remaining.

Consider adding statuary, trellises, or pergolas to give the garden more interest when the leaves fall and the colors are gone. You can create interesting little 'rooms' that make a garden cozy by placing ornamentation that helps to divide the garden into smaller areas.

This idea does not have to cost a lot of money if you keep your mind open and your eyes alert. Such items as cast off rusted metal bed heads, old bits of picket fence, old metal gates, wheelbarrows and boats that no longer float can be used in interesting ways. Plant vines to hang over them, colorful flowering plants in front, and some ground cover beneath it all. Use it as a point of interest in front of your evergreen hedge.

A large, fancy, cast-off piece from a front porch pillar can be used as the pillar base for a glass globe. Or get really creative and create an ornament yourself to set atop it such as a birdhouse or feeder, or metal sculpture. Let your imagination go to work and have fun.

You could also plan an area that has a heat source. There are many available that sit on a patio, but why not consider having something that is in the garden space and acts as an ornament in the warm weather, but becomes a usable space in the cool evenings and cold weather. If you have a space where open flame will not cause other things to catch fire, a brick cooking area or small contained clay cooker is an ideal source of enjoyment. Be sure to check your fire restrictions first though. It could be an attractive ornament as well as a fun place to warm up and roast weiners and marshmallows after a family outing.