Garden Designs
By: Garden Gate staff
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Autumn in the garden
Fall is the perfect time of year — the hard work of spring is over; you’ve survived the summer heat, and winter is still a little way off. Right now you can relax and fully enjoy the beauty of your garden!
But what makes the perfect autumn garden? Color and lots of it! There are endless bright and bold combos in the three gardens ahead. Just keep clicking to get a feast for the eyes and 8 tips that will make your own garden fabulous in fall and throughout the rest of the year.
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Autumn in the garden
HOLD ON TO TEXTURE The bright asters and goldenrod here will fade, along with the mahogany-colored sedum, but don’t cut these plants back — their unique texture and shapes will carry the garden into winter.
GO WITH THE FLOW You can stake plants that won’t stand straight or cut them back in summer to keep them more compact. But if you let them casually lean, they’ll hide summer blooms that are starting to look tired.
A RESTING SPOT The cooler weather has probably made your lawn greener than it’s been all summer. And with the color exploding from flowers and foliage nearby, a bit of grass can be relief for the eyes.
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Autumn in the garden
BETTER LATE Set aside an area just for late bloomers. These bold clumps of mixed dahlias, perennial golden coreopsis and annual blue ageratum are planted just for fall. Get color in this same spot early next year by planting daffodils and other spring-blooming bulbs here, too.
STRUCTURE MADE SIMPLE Fall gardens are often casual billows of plants that come together in a laid-back style. But if you prefer a structured look, a clipped hedge like this boxwood adds a touch of formality.
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Autumn in the garden
TREE TIME Fall is a great time to plant trees. After its leaves drop, a tree’s roots put all their energy into getting established rather than supporting foliage. Water well and wrap the trunk to protect tender bark in winter.
WINTER INTEREST Ornamental grasses like this maiden grass are fabulous when they bloom in early fall. As the foliage turns brown, the plants stand tall, even through winter.
SMART DESIGN All the color and form contrasting at the start of this path makes a dramatic entry, but that’s not all. Include evergreens at an entrance. too, so you’ll always have something that looks good, no matter what season it is.
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