Fall is for Planting: Creating a Captivating Landscape

Designing Your Fall Landscape

To create a captivating fall landscape, think about the layout and placement of your plants. Where do you currently have holes in your landscape’s design? Are any of your existing plants struggling? Is there anything you’d like to change about the current layout? These are all questions you want to answer when adding to your landscape. If that’s too overwhelming, you can always call McDonald Landscapes (link) to put you in the right direction. However, if you are an avid DIY-er, consider the following tips:

• Layering: Create depth and interest by planting taller trees or shrubs in the back and shorter plants, like pansies and ornamental grasses, in the front. Try to create your layers in odd numbers (3-5 layers) for an even fuller look. 
• Color Coordination: Plan your plant choices so that they complement each other in terms of color and texture. For example, pair the soft plumes of ornamental grasses with accompanying bolder hues of pansies for contrast.
• Focal Points: Use a few trees or larger shrubs as focal points to draw the eye and create visual interest. 
• Seasonal Continuity: Plan for a succession of blooms and foliage changes to keep your garden interesting throughout the fall season. Plants such as pansies tend to keep blooming throughout the season in our USDA zone 7b-8a, but plants like camellias tend to start blooming later in the season.

The Plants 

Fall is full of wonderful landscape-friendly plants to enjoy. A variety of trees and shrubs are available at our year-round locations (link) to choose from for foundation plants. Perennials such as ornamental grasses are great for texture, while pansies pack their punch through color. All of these plants can be combined for a captivating landscape, so here are some suggestions on how to use them in yours: 

• Pansies: Plant pansies in containers, flower beds, or as edging along paths to create vibrant pockets of color. They thrive in cooler temperatures and will continue to bloom well into the spring. Consider pairing them with ornamental kale and peppers for a dynamic and colorful display.

• Azaleas and Camellias: These shrubs not only provide year-round structure but also burst into colorful blooms in the fall and spring. Plant them strategically in your garden to ensure a continual show of color throughout the year.

• Ornamental Grasses: Ornamental grasses are the unsung heroes of fall landscaping. Their graceful plumes and captivating textures add depth and interest to your garden. These low-maintenance plants work wonderfully as borders, screens, or as standalone specimens.

• Trees: Fall is an excellent time to plant trees, as it allows them to establish strong root systems before the harsh conditions of winter. Consider trees like japanese maples, redbuds, or dogwoods, which offer a wide range of shapes, sizes, and stunning fall foliage.