Fall is upon us (cue happy sigh). With the change of seasons exciting plants start to strut their stuff. Ornamental grasses and perennials including sedums and goldenrod are a must of course. However, there are lots of other cool options to fill your garden with rich foliage colors. As well as flowers from late summer right up until the first frost. Here are 5 we recommend.
(Please visit the companion post that covers zones 8 –11 as zones often overlap.)
Long, slender, pink-tinted, creamy white, fragrant flower spikes tower above brilliant dark-purple foliage in the fall. Wonderful late-season treat for native bees. Full to partial shade. Zone: 3 – 9
La Barbe Bleue™ Bluebeard
Fragrant and shiny yellow foliage glows throughout summer. The real thrill comes in fall when deep-blue flower spikes come into bloom providing a rich contrast. Snip stems to add to vases of autumn leaves. Full sun. Zone: 5 – 9
Neon Flash Spirea
Bright neon-red flowers on this small shrub bloom non-stop from late spring right through fall which is awesome. Although, wait until you see how the foliage turns rich, dark-burgundy as the autumn chill sets in. Full sun. Zone: 4 – 9
Honorine Jobert Japanese Anemone
Heirloom variety adds crisp-formality-meets-cottage-charm to planting schemes. Movement and scale provide oomph to the middle of the border. Fabulous with hydrangeas or behind a low holly or boxwood hedge. Partial to full sun. Zone: 4 – 8
