I’ll admit it: Sometimes I’m so worn out by the end of summer, with all the watering and weeding, that I really just give up on my garden. But by the time the sugar maples (Acer saccharum, Zones 3–8) start bursting into full color in the woods at the edge of the garden, I start feeling guilty that my landscape is dreary and dull in comparison. These designs show that with the incorporation of a few key autumnal stars, your garden can become a worthy partner to its seasonal surroundings.
All you need is one star—and maybe a couple of extras


There’s no denying that the Rocky Mountain maple is the star of this front border. But the masses of fine-textured grasses interspersed with pops of color from the asters and the goldenrod are the perfect backup singers. Together they make this four-season garden really shine in autumn.
Key plants
1. Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum, Zones 5–8)
2. Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum* ‘Rubrum’, Zones 8–10)
3. ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, Zones 4–9)
4. ‘Purple Dome’ aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’, Zones 3–8)
5. Goldenrod (Solidago cv., Zones 4–9)
Fiery foliage amps up a simple container


This design would hold up all year, thanks to the airy grass foliage and the red and green leaves of the stalwart heucheras. But when fall hits and the grasses start pluming and their blades start turning color, the wash bucket comes alive.
Key plants
1. ‘Adagio’ miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis* ‘Adagio’, Zones 5–9)
2. Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica* ‘Rubra’, Zones 5–9)
3. Heuchera (Heuchera cv., Zones 4–9)
4. Heuchera (Heuchera cv., Zones 4–9)
If you want impact, think yellow


No color is more eye-catching in fall than bright yellow. The sun seems to make everything in that hue just glow. Here that is exemplified by the intensity of the dogwood foliage, which is contrasted brilliantly by the dark purple and shocking pink asters.
Key plants
1. Zebra grass (Miscanthus sinensis* ‘Zebrinus’, Zones 5–9)
2. ‘Morning Light’ maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis* ‘Morning Light’, Zones 5–9)
3. ‘Midwinter Fire’ bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’, Zones 4–7)
4. ‘Violet Queen’ Italian aster (Aster amellus ‘Violet Queen’, Zones 5–8)
5. ‘September Ruby’ New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘September Ruby’, Zones 4–8)
Stars That Add Major Fall Impact
Even if you don’t have room for a lot of plants that save their best for autumn, by adding just one of the plants below you’ll increase the showiness of your landscape.
 |
 |
 |
1. ‘Firedance’ persicaria
(Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firedance’)
Zones: 5–8
Size: 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil |
2. American cranberry bush
(Viburnum opulus var. americanum ‘Hahs’)
Zones: 2–7
Size: 6–8 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil |
3. ‘Red Head’ fountain grass
(Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Head’)
Zones: 5–9
Size: 3 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil |
 |
 |
 |
4. ‘Königin Charlotte’ Japanese anemone
(Anemone × hybrida ‘Königin Charlotte’)
Zones: 5–8
Size: 2–3 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Partial shade; moist, well-drained soil |
5. ‘Arnold Promise’ witch hazel
(Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’)
Zones: 5–8
Size: 12–15 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil |
6. ‘Jindai’ Tatarian aster
(Aster tataricus ‘Jindai’)
Zones: 4–8
Size: 3–4 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil |
 |
 |
 |
7. ‘Fireworks’ goldenrod
(Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’)
Zones: 4–8
Size: 36–48 inches tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil |
8. ‘Venus’ chrysanthemum
(Chrysanthemum ‘Venus’)
Zones: 4–9
Size: 18–36 inches tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil |
9. Pink Diamond panicle hydrangea
(Hydrangea paniculata ‘Interhydia’)
Zones: 4–8
Size: 8–15 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil |
Photos: Richard Bloom/gapphotos.com; Greg Ryan/Alamy Stock Photo; Friedrich Strauss/gapphotos.com; Mark Bolton/gapphotos.com; Virginia Small; Brandi Spade; Jennifer Benner; Nancy J. Ondra
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Bee Watering Station with Vivid Flower Design
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Thoughtful Combo: You will receive a bee feeder and 30 glass marbles. This thoughtful combo can provide clean water for the bees, you just need to put the marbles into the bee watering station, add water (note: the water level should not exceed the height of the marbles) and hang them in the right place. The round, colored marbles can provide a place for the bees to stand and prevent them from falling into the water, effectively keeping the bees safe. Fine Material: This exquisite bee bath is made of high quality iron material, smooth surface, rust and weather resistant, not easy to fade, sturdy and reliable. Bee cups for garden can well meet the drinking water needs of lovely bees, and it can also provide food for bees, such as sugar water, nectar, etc., attracting more bees to your outdoor area and making your garden full of vitality. Perfect Size: The butterfly watering station has an overall height of 13.4 inches, a bowl diameter of 9.4 inches, and a weight of 0.44 pounds. The bee cup serves the needs of the bees well without plunging them into dangerously deep water or taking up unnecessary space in your garden, and this compact and efficient design makes it a practical addition to any outdoor space. Elegant Design: Our bee watering cups are designed in unique flower shapes with vibrant and realistic colours to attract lovely bees to your garden and patio, bee feeders for outside are not only functional but can also be used as a landscaping element, their vibrant floral patterns enhance the beauty of your garden. Multicolored Decoration: Colorful bee water stations look like flowers in a garden, flower bed or pot and attract bees and butterflies. They can drink or bathe in bee feeders, which are highly decorative and practical.
The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach.
Sun Joe Cordless Telescoping Pole Chain Saw
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
BAR + CHAIN: 8 in. auto-lubricating bar + chain with 2.7 fl oz oil tank capacity and oil level window. TELESCOPIC: Telescoping pole extends from 3.7 ft to 7.2 ft, providing up to 14 ft of overhead reach. ADJUSTABLE HEAD: Multi-angle head adjusts from 0º to 30º
24-VOLT SYSTEM: 24V 2.0 Ah IONMAX lithium-ion battery allows for up to 32 cuts of 4" x 4" pine on a single charge.
Comments
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in