Adding Color to the Fall Landscape

Nature announces fall in the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Northern New Mexico with a glorious display of purple Asters and yellow Chamisa.

Helianthus maximiliana 'Santa Fe'
Item # 55952 		Helianthus maximiliana 'Santa Fe'
Maximilian's Sunflower

each $7.99
3 to 6 plants $7.79
7 or more $7.59
Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low'
Item # 82550 		Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low'
Gro-Low Sumac

each $7.99
3 to 6 plants $7.79
7 or more $7.59
Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome'
Item # 23518 		Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome'
Purple Dome New England Aster

each $7.99
3 to 6 plants $7.79
7 or more $7.59
Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'
Item # 74540 		Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'
Shenandoah Switch Grass

each $8.79
3 or more $8.59
  • Topic: Fall Gardening
  • Author: Mary Ann Walz
  • Keywords: fall planting, perennials, ornamental grasses, fall blooming
  • Date: September 2005

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Nature announces fall in the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Northern New Mexico with a glorious display of purple Asters and yellow Chamisa. Then display is augmented by the golden leaves of the quaking Aspen trees along with the red and orange leaves of Three-Leaf Sumac. It’s a gorgeous time of year.

Although the color palette may be a bit different, similar exhibits of changing foliage take place everywhere this time of year. But if your garden doesn’t have a lot of turning leaves, a few tricks follow for brightening the fall garden. Some will offer instant gratification, and others will provide spectacular results next autumn.

  • Tuck some Chrysanthemums in pots that look tired or in areas of the perennial garden that are lacking color.
  • Select a big sunny spot to put a Helianthus maximiliana. This spectacular plant will grow to 6 feet in height and 3 to 4 feet wide. Its bright yellow blooms seem to glisten in the autumn sun.
  • Add Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’ and Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’ to your perennial border to mirror the colors of the wild Asters and Chamisa.
  • Look for a spot to place either Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ or Rhus trilobata. Both shrubs have brilliant fall foliage with shades of red, orange and burgundy.
  • Ornamental grasses often have wonderful fall color, decorative seed heads, and offer texture throughout much of the winter months. A couple of favorites are Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Blaze’ (Little Bluestem) and Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ (Switch Grass).

The garden season is not over in September. Keep it going with a few new additions and you’ll find many warm days to observe the results of your efforts.