The Colors of Autumn

There’s no reason for your landscape to look sad and tired this time of year.

      If you’re like me, you may not have been able to protect some of your plants from recent frost;

 Take my Dahlia's for example  :(

Many plants in local gardens look like they've given up the ghost after a great summer.

                      If you aren't quite ready to give up, too, here are a few suggestions to add a little life to your landscape.

In flower pots, try swapping out those tender plants with frost tolerant ones, such as ornamental kale, fall  chrysanthemums, and grasses. I also like to pop a few decorative gourds in to add a little more colour and embrace the fact that it’s fall.

Many plants go unnoticed the rest of the year, but they become the star of the garden when fall sets in and they start 

showing their “true colours”. 

Some plants that really pop this time of year. Have you noticed these showstoppers ?

winged burning bush (Euonymus alatus compacta)

Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina);

The one in my yard has just started to turn.... but turns a brilliant red when all through.

Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra)

I took this picture a few weeks back. This one sadly has no leaves anymore . The Ohio Buckeye tends to turn color early September and drop it's leaves sooner than most; but wow! 
when it turns.... it looks awesome.

 Amur maple (Acer ginnala)

Amur maple (Acer ginnala)

 Amur maple (Acer ginnala), which can be grown in tree or shrub form. This one we planted for a client and the one below is in my front yard.

I seriously wait all year in excitement :)

If your garden looks a bit under the weather, popping in some late blooming perennials helps, too. Black-eyed Susan, Autumn Joy Sedum, fall asters, and hardy mums are all great choices for fall interest.

Happy gardening,

Kirsten Hironaka