Today we’re in Virginia visiting with Amy Birdsong. (See a previous post from her here: Lessons from Amy’s Garden.)

Hello, Fine Gardening! I’ve figured out why I love fall gardens so much. It’s not hot anymore, so you can meander slowly around your garden and stop to enjoy the unexpected color combinations the flowers and plants are giving you. It almost looks like you planned it. Here are some pictures showing off fall joy.

Magnolia ‘Solar Flair’ (Zones 4–8) changes to yellow for the fall, while the ‘Winter Gem’ boxwoods (Buxus ‘Winter Gem’, Zones 5–9) keep their steady, rich green color.

In Zones 7 and higher, fall doesn’t just mean changing leaves; it also means flowers in the sasanqua camellias (Camellia sasanqua hybrids, Zones 7–9). Different forms of camellias can bloom anytime from fall to spring where they are hardy.

Flower heads of ‘Limelight’ hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’, Zones 3–8) fade to their fall brown, with green upright plum yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’, Zones 6–9) and silver dusty miller (Senecio cineraria, Zones 8–10).

A mix of different evergreens, some variegated, create beauty that lasts all year: oakland holly (Ilex ‘Magland’, Zones 6–9), variegated English holly (Ilex aquifolium, Zones 7–9), and Distylium ‘Spring Frost’ (Zones 7–9).

Another beautiful fall-blooming camellia (Camellia ‘October Magic Ruby’, Zones 7–9) is backed up by variegated liriope (Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’, Zones 5–10) and lambs’ ears (Stachys byzantina, Zones 4–8).

In this photo: evergreen poet’s laurel (Danae racemosa, Zones 7–9) studded with red berries, the fading seed heads of Autumn Joy sedum (Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’, Zones 4–10), silvery lambs’ ears, and the variegated Euphorbia ‘Ascot’ (Zones 6–9)

The bold, variegated foliage of Fatsia ‘Spider’s Web’ (Zones 7–10) stands out dramatically surrounded by dark green evergreen foliage.

Have a garden you’d like to share?

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