I enjoy living and gardening in a region that experiences four distinct seasons each year. The dramatic difference from one as it transitions into the next fascinates me in both its reliability and variability. One summer dry, the next wet. One winter brown, the next white. These are some obvious differences that people tend to remember. How about this fall? It’s been dry, warm, and a visual smorgasbord of brilliant color, much like the calico patchwork quilt I pulled from the linen closet last week. Autumn throws its colors around and blankets the earth in a similar sort of patchwork way, and I appreciate how the colors and textures of fall come together in this sort of beautiful tapestry.
Now, before autumn gives way to the bite of winter, is an excellent time to take note of the seasonal changes happening in your outdoor spaces! Reflect on the colors and textures in your yard. Was anything missing this fall? If your beds and borders felt less lustrous than you would like, I have good news! Fall is a great time for planting. Generally speaking, stress is lessened on fall plantings. They’ve begun their transition from active growth into dormancy and our temperatures are often cooler. Additionally, you’ll find prices falling almost as fast as leaves! Minimizing inventory before the labor-intensive process of overwintering begins means that you’ll find some great prices on hundreds of trees, shrubs and perennials.
If you’re looking for some fall inspiration, stop in and check out our displays featuring fall favorites and colorful planting combinations. A couple of my personal favorites include American cranberrybush paired with Black Hills spruce, and Tiger Eyes cutleaf staghorn sumac paired with Tor birchleaf spireas. Both pairings combine layers of fall color and texture with interesting features that carry us right into winter! Consider adding some ornamental grasses, low growing asters, or sedums for even greater fall impact.
American cranberrybush is a Minnesota native that produces beautiful lace cap flower clusters in spring followed by bright red fruit that holds on well into winter. The fruit provides a native food source for songbirds and pairs beautifully with Black Hills spruce as its backdrop. Black Hills spruce is a dark green conifer with a dense conical habit. They provide shelter for birds and are an excellent selection for large scale, evergreen screening.
Tiger Eyes sumac is an award-winning plant with lacy chartreuse foliage that turns a fiery mix of yellow, orange, and scarlet in fall. Pair this with the rounded leaves and graceful habit of Tor birchleaf spirea for an easy and elegant combination. Lovely white flowers on Tor add beauty in spring with leaves turning orange, red and purple in fall. The unique branching habit of Tiger Eyes adds an interesting, even artistic, structural element to the winter landscape.
