Fall Garden Favorites

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting, and autumn a mosaic of them all.”
Stanley Horowitz

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.  

Bonsai
Orchids

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.

TOOL

Plant Finder

Find the ideal plant with our Plant Finder tool. Learn more about a specific plant's attributes, growth and care.