As the sun sets on summer and the crisp air brings in fall, refresh your sun-faded garden with a mosaic of wonderful autumn colors. A new season gives us the opportunity to do something new, bold and beautiful in the garden. These five plants will thrive throughout fall and early winter.  

Hardy Chrysanthemums

Mums are a great way to brighten any spot in the garden.

• Available in many shades of red, orange, white, pink, purple and yellow.
• Mums typically bloom August through November with flowers that last several weeks.
• To keep the plant dense and compact, pinch new growth 2 or 3 times before July when mums set bud for fall.
• For better blooming, prune off spent flowers often.

Overwintering Chrysanthemums

• After the flowers fade and the foliage dies back in mid to late December, cut your mums down to the ground and mark or label the location of each plant.
• Apply 3-4” of mulch to protect the roots during the winter.
• In mid-March remove the mulch from the base of each plant to trigger new growth.
• Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with an all-purpose plant fertilizer.

Learn more about mums HERE.

Ornamental Grasses

Add movement and texture in the garden all year long with ornamental grasses. Their low maintenance nature makes them a great option for fall planters, around pools and patios, and in sunny garden beds.

• Most grasses are perennial and will return every year; however, some are annual and will not. We can help you determine which type will best fit your needs.
• Grasses can be enjoyed for their dry foliage through winter. Cut them down in late winter before new growth appears in early spring.
• If needed, perennial grasses are best dug and divided or transplanted in early spring. 

Cabbage & Kale

Kale and cabbage are available only in the fall and early winter months. They look great in sun to part shade flower beds or planters.

• Fall cabbage and kale will last throughout most of the winter provided we do not have too much snow.
• Ornamental cabbage and kale are not grown for eating.
• Cabbage have larger, flat leaves. Kale has curlier leaves that hold their color better. Both types come in shades of white, pink, or purple.

Pansies & Ornamental Millet

Pansies

One of the most popular bedding plants for cool weather.

• Flowers come in a variety of colors from shades of blue and purple to red, yellow, and white.
• Pansies grow 6-9 inches tall and prefer full to part sun.
• They will survive frost and even bounce back during very cold weather.

Ornamental Millet

A dramatic plant that grows 3-5 feet tall. Direct sunlight induces the purple leaf color.

• Bold corn-like foliage in burgundy or bright chartreuse with plumes in brick red or burgundy that look like foxtails.
• These colorful plants make a great addition to the fall garden or large container.
• Millet makes a great cut flower and dead heading will ensure they bloom all season long.