Autumn’s Encore: Spectacular Fall Garden and How to Get It

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This week, Ken Lain the Mountain Gardener in Prescott covers how to gain a spectacular fall garden. How do you plan for a fall garden? How do you prepare a garden bed in the fall? What should you not plant in the fall? Should you add anything to the garden soil in the fall?

While spring gardens charm with their fresh blooms and summer gardens dazzle with their vibrant colors, the autumn garden offers a truly spectacular finale. With the right plants, your garden can put on a showstopping performance as the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp. Let’s explore how to create an excellent autumn garden that will leave you and your friends captivated.

Extending the Bloom Season

The key to a stunning autumn garden is extending the bloom season well into the fall. While many spring and summer perennials fade by late summer, many plants come into their own as the temperatures cool.

Late bloomers: Add your garden with late-blooming perennials like mums and Snap Dragon. A trip to the garden center now yields these beauties with even more fall treasures. Their developing buds build anticipation, and when they finally open, they bring a fresh burst of color to your autumn landscape.
Repeat bloomers: Pay attention to perennials that offer repeat blooms. Catmint and many Pinks put on their main show in early summer. With a bit of trimming after their initial flowering, they’ll reward you with a second flush of blooms in the fall. Very pretty.
Long-lasting combinations: Pair long-blooming perennials, like coneflowers, with showy fall grasses, such as Cabaret Miscanthus Grass. The colorful blooms and graceful grasses create a stunning tapestry that evolves as the season progresses.

The Beauty of Fall Foliage

I admit flowers are the garden stars, but never underestimate the power of foliage in the autumn garden. Many perennials offer a dazzling display of fall color, adding another layer of interest to your landscape.

Vibrant hues: Look for perennials that boast vibrant fall foliage. Mums, Phlox, Aster, and Blonde Ambition Grama Grass turn shades of gold, while others offer copper, orange, and red hues. The intensity of the color may vary depending on weather and sunlight. The potential for a breathtaking display is well worth designing.
Lush greenery: Perennials with rich green foliage, like hellebores, bring a sense of lushness to the fall garden. Their evergreen leaves provide a beautiful backdrop for the changing colors around them.
Fresh starts: Even perennials cut back after summer bloom contribute to the fall garden. Their fresh new growth adds a welcome touch of vibrancy amidst the fading foliage of other plants.

The Charm of Seed Heads

Seed heads offer another dimension of beauty to the autumn garden. Their diverse shapes and textures add visual interest, especially as the garden transitions into winter.

Lacy, spiky, and button-like: Astilbe, Galadia, and Sombraro Orange Echinacea are just a few examples of perennials with fascinating seed heads. Their unique forms create striking silhouettes against the fall sky.
Muted tones: While not typically colorful, seed heads often turn shades of tan, copper, or brown, harmonizing beautifully with the fall color palette.
Food for wildlife: Leaving seed heads in place provides a valuable food source for birds during the colder months. If self-sowing becomes an issue, a layer of mulch in the spring helps control unwanted seedlings.

Creating Graceful Transitions

As the season progresses, focus on creating graceful transitions in your garden. Showcase the beauty of seed heads against a backdrop of vibrant fall foliage. Plants like Angel’s Blush Hydragea’s rich colors draw the eye away from less attractive, fading foliage.

The autumn garden has a dynamic color and texture, forming a tapestry. By incorporating late-blooming perennials, showcasing stunning foliage, and embracing the charm of seed heads, you create a grand finale that celebrates the beauty of the fall season. So, grab your garden gloves, head to the Watters Garden Center, and start planning a fantastic October garden this week!

Free Garden Classes at Watters Garden Center

Watters Garden Center goes deep into growing better. Check out the class selection offered every Saturday @ 9:30 am.

October 5 – Fall List for a Healthy Yard

Get the most out of your landscape with this easy-to-use checklist of fall care. This easy-to-use list enhances autumn color, kills bugs, and sets the stage for amazing gardens next spring.

October 12 – Autumn Colors from Fall Gardens

This easy advice enhances the silver and blues from your evergreens, showcasing brilliant foliage and colored flowers. Make this the brightest fall of all.

October 19 – Succulents, Cacti, and Southwest Gardens

Succulents, Cacti, and southwest gardens are all the rage right now, and a great choice for busy gardeners! These are the toughest, drought-tolerant plants that will grow like gangbusters in a tight space with very little care. Students will learn how to use the local favorites that bring warm color and texture to your home.

Until next week, I’ll be helping gardeners with Autumn Designs here at Watters Garden Center.

This article was written by Ken Lain. He can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.

Get more gardening tips from Watters Garden Center in the Mountain Gardener Column on Signals A Z.com.

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