Unveiling Striking Plant Combinations for an Impactful Autumn Garden
As the crisp breeze of fall begins to dance through the air, the world transforms into a canvas of vibrant hues. It’s during this magical season that nature paints its landscapes with breathtaking shades of red, orange, gold, and purple. This is the perfect time to explore the realm of plants that showcase brilliant autumn foliage, and nurseries are bursting with options that promise to turn your garden into a masterpiece. From the United Kingdom to the southwestern deserts of the United States, here are eight enchanting plant combinations that will inspire you to create your own captivating fall show.
1. Elemental Designs
Imagine a garden in Sussex, England, where the transition from summer to fall is celebrated with deep floral borders exploding in a blaze of color. Ruby red, deep purple, orange, gold, and lavender harmonize in a vibrant symphony. Amidst this visual feast, two deciduous shrubs, ‘Grace’ smoke bush and ‘Lady in Red’ ninebark, stand as beacons of crimson light. Perennials like ‘Ostfriesland’ sage, woolly sunflower, cranesbill, and avens contribute their own rich shades to the tapestry.
2. Le jardinet
In Seattle, a garden creates layers of foliage and flowers that weave together to form a rich tapestry of color. The peeling bark of paperbark maple, the deep hue of ‘Rose Glow’ Japanese barberry, and the delicate feathery plumes of ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass form the backdrop. A midlayer of dusty green-pink smoke bush adds texture, while black-eyed Susan and crocosmia spill vibrant hues into the lower tier.
3. Fiery Foliage
On Bainbridge Island, Washington, fall foliage takes center stage. Japanese maples steal the show, with ‘Iijima Sunago’ transforming from dark copper to brilliant orange, and ‘Hogyoku’ changing from apple green to gold. Burgundy Japanese barberry, ‘Gulf Stream’ heavenly bamboo, and ‘Evergold’ sedge contribute to the rich palette.
4. Burgundy and Gold
In another corner of the Bainbridge Island garden, deep burgundy Japanese barberry and the golden seed heads of autumn moor grass frame a vine maple’s foliage in the background.
5. Dynamic Duo
In Massachusetts, a Japanese stewartia tree commands attention, accompanied by golden Japanese forest grass. The stewartia offers year-round interest with its changing foliage, blossoms, and distinctive bark.
6. Fall Color in the Desert
Even in the arid Southwest, fall foliage dazzles in a low-water garden near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The golden leaves of skunkbush sumac contrast with the purple blooms of Russian sage and the gray-green foliage of sage and lavender.
7. Windswept Ornamental Grasses
Portland, Oregon, embraces the textures of the foothills with native manzanita and billowing ornamental grasses. The tall, orange miscanthus grass dances against the deep burgundy of ‘Autumn Joy’ stonecrop, while ‘Sundance’ Mexican orange provides splashes of gold.
As fall beckons with its mesmerizing colors, these plant combinations stand as creative expressions of nature’s artistry. Whether you’re drawn to the deep reds, the fiery oranges, or the rich purples, these gardens offer inspiration for you to craft your own fall masterpiece. With a little imagination and a touch of nature’s magic, your garden can become a canvas of breathtaking beauty that captures the essence of the season.
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