By Linda Langelo
With summer upon us, it may seem counterintuitive, but now is the perfect time to plan to add rich color to the landscape in fall. As fall approaches and temperatures cool, look for these new introductions of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees with vibrant foliage and blooms that beautify our fall gardens.
Monrovia Nursery Company and Al’s Garden & Home offer exciting new fall introductions for the home gardener.
“A change of season doesn’t mean you have to give up on a colorful garden. Here are a few of our favorites for extending the enjoyment into fall,” said Megan McConnell, director of plant information for Monrovia.
Some plants, like panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata), are great all-year because they change colors with the seasons.
Strawberry Shake™ Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘SMHPCW’ PP28699) starts with a creamy white flowers that transition to a beautiful pink blush. “Strawberry Shake features sturdy stems that hold the big blooms high in the garden or in containers,” McConnell said. “They also make excellent dried flowers for arrangements.” This shrub will grow 4–5 feet tall by 4 feet wide in full sun to partial shade. It does well in Zones 4–8.
Speaking of hydrangeas, Al’s Garden & Home recommends a new, improved form of the popular dwarf Little Lime® Hardy Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Jane’ PP22330) in tree form. Little Lime Punch® Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘SMNHPH’ PP33207) is a newer cultivar derived from the Little Lime Line.
“Little Lime Punch offers improved flower color, starting lime green, fading to white, then pink, and finally vivid red in the fall,” said Dorothy Russo, chief of growing operations at Al’s Garden & Home. This shrub will grow 3–5 feet tall by 3–5 feet wide. It does well in full to part sun. It grows in zones 3–9.
Another multi-season plant, Sgt. Pepper® Dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Verpaalen2’ PP34377) is a newer introduction with green and pink variegated leaves in the summer, changing to deep burgundy red in the fall. “Winter stems are deep crimson red,” Russo said. “Regular pruning encourages new stem production, which have the brightest color.” This shrub prefers moist soil. It is not drought-tolerant. Part-shade to full sun is the best light exposure. It grows to 6 feet tall and wide.
Looking for a groundcover to bring fall color to the landscape? Nitty Gritty® Pink Rose (Rosa ‘RUIRI0125A’ PP33135) is “fuss-free care and abundant blooms that make them stand out in the landscape too,” McConnell said. The entire Nitty Gritty series of shrub groundcovers blooms from spring into fall. The flowers are slightly fragrant. It grows 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide, in partial to full sun. It is disease-resistant, a plus for any gardener who loves roses, and grows in Zones 4–9.
If you’re looking for a stunning, long-blooming perennial, the new coneflower introductions are excellent choices. “SunMagic™ Petite Burgundy Coneflower (Echinacea ‘Petite Burgundy’) is tough to beat for long-lasting summer through fall color,” McConnell said. “Burgundy is a ready-made bouquet in the garden with densely packed blooms of magenta-red petals surrounding a deep maroon cone,” McConnell said. This compact coneflower is perfect for a tabletop container or garden borders because it grows to about 10 inches tall and as wide. It thrives in full sun and in Zones 4–9. This perennial tolerates periodic drought. For continuous flowering, deadheading is necessary.
Double Scoop™ Strawberry Deluxe Coneflower (Echinacea ‘Balscawbux’ PPAF) is another great option. “We like to mix it in with tall grasses and shorter Heuchera for the fall. It would be stunning in a mixed bed with First Edition Limoncello™ Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘BailErin’)” Russo said. It has intense red double flowers that resist fading. It grows to be 20–24 inches tall. It is great for borders, containers, or mass planting. It is drought tolerant. Its ideal exposure is in full sun to part shade and is suitable in Zones 4–9.
Other exciting perennials that enhance fall color include Agastache and Sedum. Conga Line Sedum (Sedum telephium ‘Conga Line’ PPAF) comes from modern breeding. “Conga Line is your next-gen dance partner,” McConnell said. A unique feature is its color transition from green to purple and burgundy hues. “Its late summer blooms are a cluster of peach, coral, and cream, adding a little drama to garden beds and containers,” McConnell said. For a gardener looking for a waterwise perennial, this is an excellent choice. It grows 20 inches tall by 16 inches wide. The best exposure is full sun. It does well in Zones 4–9.
Agastache ‘Prince’s Plume’ blooms all summer and fall through September. “Mix in mums, heuchera, and pansies for a showy bed,” Russo said. It grows 30–36 inches tall with an upright habit. It grows in full sun. As a pollinator-friendly flower, it attracts hummingbirds and bees. It is drought-tolerant once established. It grows in Zones 5–10.
Do not overlook the benefit of annuals for the fall since some can provide great color for weeks. Though not the newest introductions, these versions of Celosia will last through frost: Twisted Series, Intenz, and ‘Dragon’s Breath’. “These give the consumer the biggest bang for their buck on a small budget,” Russo said.
Celosia Twisted Series has thick ruffled crests that resemble coral on taller plants than traditional cristate types. They grow to 16–20 inches tall. Red, pink, orange, and yellow are good color choices for fall.
“Intenz has the cone-shaped flower spikes that are extremely attractive to pollinators,” Russo said.
Dragon’s Breath is perfect for a fall annual with its extra-large red feathery plumes and red foliage.
If gardeners are looking for another annual, Colorburst™ Orange Cape Fuchsia (Phygelius ‘TNPHYCO’ PPAF) with its tubular deep orange blooms “brings the feel of fireworks to the garden from summer through fall,” McConnell said. “A pollinator favorite, it attracts human visitors, too. It is a stop-and-stare plant every garden needs.” It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Grow Colorburst in part shade in hot climates and well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Once it is established, it is moderately drought-tolerant and will reach 20–36 inches tall by 24-28 inches wide.
These new introductions from Monrovia and Al’s Garden and Home will extend a gardener’s landscape well into fall with a beautiful color palette and interest.