Fall colors, it’s the berries

Gardeners have an abundance of fall plants to choose from. Here are a few choices to consider out of the
hundreds of fall-worthy plants, both old standbys and new introductions.
Asters and Goldenrods are standard bearers fall color. ‘Blue Star’ Health Aster and ‘Monch’ Asters are
good choices for blue and lavender-blue blooms. Our native purple New England Aster has been hybridized
into many selections, including the compact ‘Purple Dome’. There are dozens of other Aster varieties to
choose from, including those with white or pink flowers.
Just about every type of Goldenrod has yellow blooms, but new shapes and sizes of this species have made
this plant more versatile. Native varieties of Goldenrod are usually large, and they tend to get around.
But if a mass of yellow in the back border is what you want, natives like Stiff Goldenrod and Showy
Goldenrod are hard to beat. If large native plants are a little much for your small yard, smaller
substitutes are available. ‘Fireworks Goldenrod is a 4’x 4’ plant with numerous flowers on branches that
form a shape like, well… a fireworks display. A smaller variety of Goldenrod called ‘Golden Fleece’ has
a similar cascading form. Combinations of purplish Asters with yellow Goldenrods are pleasing
combinations. See what selections are available in local garden centers and native plant nurseries and
try your own combinations.

If you are looking for more herbaceous perennials, try Amsonia hubrichtii (it doesn’t seem to have
reliable common name). This is a three-season plant: light blue flowers in late spring, green feathery
foliage in the summer, and golden yellow leaves in fall. Fall color on Amsonia hubrichtii plant gives
"yellow" a new meaning. If you have plenty of ‘Autumn’ Joy Sedum in your yard, try a ground
cover called ‘Angelina’ Sedum, whose light green summer foliage turns to an attractive green and orange
as the weather cools.
Those of you who are lucky enough to have oaks or maples nearby know how gorgeous fall foliage can be. If
you can’t wait for years to see these large trees mature in your yard, consider planting tall shrubs
that gratify sooner. Serviceberry, for instance, is a tall shrub or small tree with reddish orange and
yellow autumn leaves. Another large shrub that delivers the goods is Smoketree. Our native Smoketree and
its cultivated varieties provide a summer display of purple blooms, followed by an encore of yellow,
purple, and red fall foliage. Sumac, Fothergilla, and Blackhaw Viburnum are other tall shrubs that will
brighten your fall landscape.
Ornamental grasses play an important role in the fall landscape. ‘Shanendoah’ Switchgrass, Flame Grass,
‘The Blues’ Little Bluestem, and Prairie Dropseed are a few examples of grasses that spruce up fall
gardens with their structure and color.
A large palate of colors and flower shapes of Chrysanthemums have become available in the past several
years. These new varieties invite us to take a fresh look at mums, and to expand their use. Many mum
varieties will winter over with proper care, or they can be used as annuals and composted after the
first hard frost. Burgundy- and lime-colored Sweet Potato Vines are reliable additions to the cast of
annuals that have fall interest. And who can resist the colors and oddly attractive shapes of flowering
kale and flowering cabbage? Annuals that we call Marigolds are usually thought of as summer annuals, but
cooler fall temperatures really push the size and number of blooms on these common but colorful annuals.
Masses of Marigolds seem to almost glow in the twilight of a late September day.
As you select plants for your yard, think about one more element that will make your gardens unique:
berries. Beautyberry shrubs, for example, have pleasant green foliage in the summer, and they really put
on a show in late summer and fall with their glossy purple berries. Red Chokeberry and Black Chokeberry
are related species that produce fall fruits in colors that match their names. Chokeberries do double
duty by showing off multi-colored fall foliage in the fall. Charming Fantasy Snowberry, a variety of the
native plant, has light purple and white berries that will attract attention. Red berries of Winterberry
(Ilex verticillata) and its varieties are also a treat to see. Several different selections of
Cotoneaster are available, all bearing red or orange red berries. In addition to making your yard more
attractive, berry-producing plants mentioned here provide food sources for birds during fall and winter.

Ask your garden centers and plant nurseries what plant recommendations they have for the soil, water, and
light conditions of your yard. With the help of knowledgeable employees at these companies, you can sort
through the list above and receive even more suggestions for plantings that will make your yard more
attractive, and wildlife friendly.