Erica Browne Grivas
Don’t give up on your garden yet. Too often we default to the idea that the garden is done by October. Yet with some thoughtful choices, we can choreograph color to cheer even the darkest winter morning.
To begin with, there are a surprising number of perennials that refuse to go gently into the good night of fall and winter, going out in a blaze of color. They may be deciduous, but they insist on a splashy exit. Ornamental grasses may be the first group that comes to mind, which get a lot of attention this time of year, from Hakonechloa species in shady spots to Imperata, Andropogon, and Panicum in the sun. Peonies are well-known for their lovely red foliage in fall, and many sedums take on either gold or red tones with a chill in the air.
Here are a few others you may not have considered that I’m enjoying right now. When you choose one, think about planning for a colorful partner that will set off its fall garb, whether permanent, like a dwarf conifer, seasonal, like a fall bulb, or “right-now” like annual kales and pansies.
Amsonia spp. Can you say multiseason appeal? Amsonia brings a welcome airy texture to the border at least nine months of the year. Amsonia hubrechtii has finer needle-like foliage, while A. tabermontana has rounded willowy leaves, Star-shaped blue flowers appear in late spring (hence the common name blue star), and in fall, they morph yellow. Quite adaptable to varied conditions, they can thrive in full sun or part shade with decently draining soil. Wonderful massed, especially paired with evergreens, whether in front like Armeria (Sea thrift) or liriope (mondo grass), or behind, like hebes or Ilex crenata.
Courtesy Erica Browne GrivasFall color: gold to butterscotch; hubrechtii is known for the most vibrant color.
Hosta cultivars Having delivered months of bold, wavy, striped or striated leaves in gold, green and blue, plus often fragrant wands of late summer flowers in the shade, what more could we ask of hostas? To be slug proof or evergreen, of course! Beyond that, many hostas also offer lovely gold tones before going to ground. Preferring even moisture, some are more sun-tolerant than others. Consider mixing with Amsonia, perhaps underplanted with autumn crocus bulbs.
Fall color: lime to gold
Perennial geranium spp. Several of these hummocky perennials are true workhorses, like Geranium ‘Rozanne,’ which blooms longer than anything in my garden. The foliage has hints of red when it emerges for added interest. I used to think it bloomed from April-November, but this December the plants are still gamely putting out blooms here and there. To be fair, it’s not a blanket of blue purple as in high season, but I’m not feeling choosy this time of year. In addition, the leaves are extra dramatic, with more gold centers melting into red rims. Sun or partial shade is best.
Fall color: red and burgundy - Geranium sanguineum and relatives have vivid color.
Thalictrum spp. (Meadow rue) I was already in smitten with this shade-lover’s columbine-like foliage, the waves of fairytale clouds of blooms that last for ages in a vase. When I saw that tall foliage turn a uniform gold in a shady corner of my yard, I was hooked. Even moisture and protection from afternoon sun is a must.
Fall color: gold
Bergenia and its cousin Mukdenia offer red foliage tones in two flavors – the bold- paddle shaped evergreen leaves of Bergenia, with tinges of fall red, and deciduous but elegantly dissected Mukdenia whose foliage goes fully red before falling. Both like partial shade and even moisture, though Bergenia is tough once established. Or try the cross Mukgenia ‘Nova Flame,’ which is heat- but not drought-tolerant, offering vivid color and toothy deciduous leaves.
Courtesy Erica Browne GrivasFall color: red and burgundy
Chrysanthemum ‘Sheffield Pink’
This was my first year growing this cultivar, and what a winner! The blossoms are spidery, unlike the tufted poms sold with corn stalks and pumpkins, and the plants a bit larger. They are a dreamy shell pink with a yellow eye, and bloom prolifically when we crave color. The Center for Urban Horticulture features a row of them between tall grasses and cannas to great effect. Mine is just finishing its show in early December, having easily overwintered in a driveway Smart Pot.
Fall color: red
Dwarf blueberries – Vaccinum spp. and cvs.
newer dwarf blueberries bred for beautiful foliage along with tasty fruit. ‘Sunshine Blue’ and ‘Blue Icing,’ for example, take on red, blue and iridescent tones in the fall that add nice color to arrangements without hogging border space. These get between 2-4’ tall and wide and are suitable for pot culture.
- Fall color: red and burgundy.
This is to say nothing of seedheads, hips, bark, and other wonders that come to the fore for our admiration this time of year.
For more inspiration, here’s a comprehensive list of plants that look good into fall, some which may have fall color: https://www.usperennials.com/perennials-by-collections/autumn-interest-perennials/, and one for fall color specifically https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/perennials-fall-color.