Add color to your fall garden

When summer comes to an end, the weather is ready to make way for a new season of the year. A season full of magic, cooler weather, and endless possibilities for the garden.

Fall is usually highly anticipated and warmly welcomed by everyone, especially in places where summer has been extremely hot.

As is natural, depending on the climate zone where you live, fall can range from very subtle to quite harsh. In northern regions, the cool breezes are already starting to be felt, and the days are noticeably shorter. But in areas closer to the equator, it might still be hot, very humid, and warm.

What to Plant to Add Color

The dilemma is knowing what we can add to our gardens to keep them colorful and full of life during this time of year. The answer is not always simple, as it will depend on the climate in your area and how fall affects it. So, let's talk about some plants and ideas that can give your garden the color you're looking for.

Ornamental Grass

Different types of ornamental grass are very resilient to climate changes, even in quite cold areas. These plants are easy to plant, reproduce quickly, and are great for filling large garden spaces. But the best part is that they can provide all the color your garden needs.

When choosing ornamental grass, you will find that they vary in height, leaf color, spikes, and beautiful flowers. It is also important to plant the variety that best adapts to your area. Some of the most commonly used types are Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlennbergia capillaris) and Ruby Grass (Rhynchelytrum nerviglumis).

Ground Cover Plants

Just like ornamental grass, this type of plant includes many species that also vary in the shape of their leaves, their size, and their colors. They are usually planted to add color to the garden or in those tricky spaces, such as cracks in cement floors or under tree roots.

They are also used to prevent soil erosion, as they spread like a carpet over the land. Some of the most well-known ground covers are succulents like Sedum, juniper berries, lilies, and Asian jasmine.

Yellow Daisy

This plant is better known in English as Black-eyed Susan. Its botanical name is Rudbeckia hirta. The flowers of this plant are very similar to those of the common daisy. Their petals are yellow with a black center. They tend to bloom late in the summer and early fall.

The best way to plant them is by using seeds. When planted in the right soil, they will spread across the space. They are commonly found in parks or along garden borders. They can also be kept in pots in areas with good sunlight.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums, commonly called "mums" in English, are among the most used flowers during the fall season. They are easy to find in stores and supermarkets, all adorned with flowers in different colors. Some of the most common colors are white, yellow, and orange.

Some varieties are fantastic for planting directly in garden soil. These varieties usually tolerate the weather changes between fall and winter well. They can also be used as annuals to fill garden borders and replace plants that finished blooming at the end of summer.

Butterfly Bush

There are many varieties of butterfly bushes, so it’s important to find the ones that grow best in your climate zone. Some are more resistant to heat and humidity, while others can survive the cold nights between fall and winter.

In addition to attracting butterflies, the flowers of these plants also attract hummingbirds, bees, and all kinds of pollinators. These plants tend to bloom between summer and fall. They are hardy and very common in the U.S. Some species are considered invasive, as they can spread excessively.

Colored Mulch

An easy and affordable way to add color to the garden is by spreading garden mulch in the bare spots of the soil. Mulch comes in different colors and materials. Some are made from wood chips, while others are made from recycled tires.

It’s great to add mulch during this time of year, as it helps retain moisture in the soil for longer periods. It also protects the roots of plants, preventing them from drying out or freezing with the coming cold.