Now is the time to think about installing plants that can give you great fall colors. There are many good choices of trees, shrubs, ground covers, and seasonal color plants.

Trees are often planted for their fall leaf color. Many trees, including Maples, Japanese Maples, Dogwoods, River Birch, Cherry trees, Crape Myrtles, Elms, Oaks and Ginkgos, produce wonderful fall leaf colors. Fall tree leaf colors range from red, to orange, to yellow, while bringing great interest to your landscape.

Shrubs can also give beautiful fall color, but on a smaller scale. Their fall colors also range from reds, oranges and yellows. A few examples of colorful fall shrubs are Viburnum, Hydrangea, Spiraea, Nandina, Lorapetalum, Forsythia, Burning Bush, some Azaleas, and Abelia. These shrubs add great visual interest and can be used as “under-story” plantings, accent plants, groupings or by themselves. If you like fall blooming shrubs, try using Knockout Roses, Daphne, Encore Azaleas, Camellia Sasanqua, or Rose Creek Abelia, just to name a few.

There are a few ground covers that can give you fall color. Some examples are Winter-creeper that turns a burgundy color, some Ajuga, and English Ivy. Some Junipers will also turn color in the fall.

Fall seasonal color plants (annuals) will give the best colors. These will be available for planting in the near future. Some great choices include Chrysanthemums, Pansies, Violas, Snapdragon, Ornamental Cabbage, Kale, Mustard plants and Dusty Miller.

Study your landscaping to decide where you would like to add fall color. Then come to the garden center and browse the different options available to fit your needs.

Happy Gardening