feature image via Emily Henderson
Fall is (almost) here! Last weekend, I went to Michael’s and bought 10 fall candles; they are 5 for $10 by the way so it’s not as crazy. I’ve been letting these delicious candles burn all week and it’s really getting me excited for fall. You know I had a successful summer garden, so today, I’m sharing some fall gardening 101 info.
This fall gardening 101 post is actually inspired by our new neighbors on the first floor. They moved in a week ago to the first floor 1 bedroom apartment with…drum roll please…a giant backyard! They already have plants scattered everywhere and I’m really digging their color and design scheme. The first thing I said (aloud) was, “Oh my gosh! They have plants that aren’t mums!”. That’s the dream, right?
Not that there is anything wrong with mums, they are just so ubiquitous. Today, I’m going to show you 3 different categories of plants to choose from–warm tone, cool tone, and neutral. Have fun mixing and matching! None of these beautiful flowers are mums either, so you will have a truly unique garden that will make passersby also exclaim, “Oh my gosh! They have plants that aren’t mums!”. Let’s get into it.
Fall Gardening 101: What to Plant This Fall
I’ll let you in on a little hack I’ve discovered. If you ever want to find out what beautiful flowers are in bloom each season, go to WEDDING WEBSITES! Martha Stewart Weddings has a gallery of beautiful fall bridal bouquets. So if you’re looking for any type of flower or greenery, wedding websites will get you there. After all, you’re not using dead or not in season flowers at your wedding right? Of course not!
If you’re looking for something not on my list, just use the fall gardening 101 wedding hack and you’ll be golden (haha pun intended). So are you ready for a beautiful fall garden that has more than just mums? Thought so. Here we go…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Warm Tones
via Harris Seeds
Celosia
Celosia plants are simply stunning. They are your typical range of fall hues: reds, oranges, yellows. They work really well in both pots and ground. I think they would be particularly beautiful along a walkway.
via HGTV
Sumac
The quickest way to look like you are the caretaker of a posh English garden in the countryside would be to get some Sumac trees. They are bright, colorful, super exotic looking, and aren’t a very weighty plant compared to other fall foliage.
If you are quite the home chef, you’re probably already using sumac in your middle eastern cuisine and that’s because they are one in the same! The sumac tree produces little red berries that when dried have a lemony flavor for your cooking. BUT! Some varieties are poisonous so maybe just stick with store bought if you’re not sure about your plant.
via Proven Winners
Heliopsis (False Sunflower)
Yup, it’s actually known as a “False Sunflower”. Rude, right? It does look like a sunflower though, only smaller. How gorgeous are those luscious yellow blooms, though? So stunning.
via BHG
Sedum Varieties
The sedum (also called “stonecrop”) is the MVP of hearty plants. They come in a all different colors and shapes. Although hearty, some of them bloom! Sedums can be stepped on and used instead of grass if you are in a drought stricken area. They are so versatile and require basically zero maintenance.
The sedums I have in my garden have magenta blooms and I bought them in the Hamptons at Monrovia. Magenta flowers are my favorite flower color and when I spotted them from the road, we had to stop in. I think the Blue Spruce variety paired with some white flowers and lavender would be so stunning in a garden.
Cool Tones
via Gardenia
Balloon Flower
The Balloon Flower is an interesting one. The petals will puff up until they “burst” open; hence, the name Balloon Flower. They are a stunning bluish purple hue in a simple delicate shape.
Beautyberry
The name says it all. It’s a shrubby plant with beautiful berries. I love colorful plants with a lot of greenery. I think the greenery makes the color pop even more and adds some nice depth to the landscape. This pretty lady is no exception.
via Gardenia
Heathers
This evergreen will add some great color and interest to your landscaping. This hearty plant does well in both a pot and in the ground. It’s coloring ranges from pale lavenders to soft pinky/purples. It even looks like lavender! I love how condensed these little buds are. I think it would look so great in a few pots.
via Nature Hills
Russian Sage
Sage is one of my all time favorite smells, next to rosemary. Russian sage is great because you get these giant bluish purple buds. You don’t have to settle for your traditional shrub; get something with color and a lovely smell!
Neutrals
via Seed Empire
Candytuft Evergreen
If you’ll believe it, I actual like white flowers more than colorful varieties. I know; I’m shocked too. My favorite flower is actually the white tulip. I have a giant love for nature, and I think I just love the calm simplicity of the white flower. They are stunning, delicate, and so so calming. This evergreen is no different. It has beautiful fluffy blooms and is very hearty.
Snakeroot
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden actually did a piece on this, calling it the “Weed of the Month”. Now, when I think of a “weed”, I think of an annoyance. This is best described as a wildflower (because it’s not annoying, but beautiful). It will grow very easily, as most wildflowers do, and will provide the perfect filler to spots in your garden if you’re going for a more neutral aesthetic. The flower is soft and pillowy; just dreamy. BUT! Keep away from your vegetable garden. Certain pests use the Snakeroot as its host and will eat your fall veggies.
via Eden Brothers
Sweet Alyssum
These low growing flowers remind me a little bit like Baby’s Breath. I love their simplicity, and because a lot of fall plants are evergreens/shrubs, these will pair nicely with those tall guys. These also come in pink and purple shades if you don’t want white or if you want a nice lush Alyssum carpet of multiple shades. That works too. Fall gardening 101 is not only about what is available, but what plants you can pair together to bring out the beauty in both of them.
via Plant Addicts
Oak Leaf Hydrangeas
YES! It’s true! Some varieties of hydrangeas bloom late summer to late fall. The Oak Leaf Hydrangea and Hydrangea Paniculata Tardiva are 2 varieties with long bloom times. They come in a variety of different colors, but since there are so many colorful fall plants, I think it would be stunning to get some white neutrals going.
How’s that for a fall gardening 101 crash course? You can have a beautiful garden any time of year, except maybe if you’re a resident of Antarctica; then you’re on your own, sister. Cooler temps mean cozy outdoor gatherings, so create a spectacular outdoor space for your guests.
I should also mention that before you buy any plant online, make sure you check your USDA plant hardiness zone. Not every plant can grow in every zone. This shouldn’t be an issue if you buy locally, though.
-Kristen
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