How to Plant for Fall Color

Categories: Gardening

Two things to love about fall in the South (well, three actually, because this is the season for all things football, so pick a team and stick by them). First, fall’s cooler nights and sunny days make it the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs! And secondly, the fall leaf color show. It is so spectacular, in fact, that I dedicate time during my radio show every Saturday in October to recognize the best places in North Georgia to frolic in the fall foliage! View the Georgia Forestry Commission’s weekly Leaf Watch Reports during October via their website, gatrees.org.

The gardening tidbit bears repeating, though. Whether you’re looking to install new trees or bushes, or maybe transplant them from one place to another, this is the window to achieve the best results. Homeowners often plant a new tree for many reasons: to provide privacy, to fill a void, for attracting wildlife or to add interest or a focal point. Whether you want gorgeous muted hues or fragrant blooms, head to your local nursery to scope out these great options for both. Some of them will even treat you again in the spring.

Tea Olive is a tough, evergreen shrub that displays fragrant, white blooms for many months.

While its flowers are small in size, Osmanthus can get very large, unless you score a dwarf variety. Either way, just make sure to give it the space it needs and enjoy the scent.

Sasanqua Camellia is another large evergreen shrub (or medium-sized tree even) that bursts with large, scented flowers, usually in late September.

Happy Carolina Jessamine Vine will bloom once more in the fall after it’s already displayed its small, yellow flowers in the spring.

Sweet Autumn Clematis is a vigorous vine with white flowers that smell great, but it comes with a word of caution: It can become invasive if not tended to. Growing it in a pot is a manageable option.

Mums, Pansies and Violas don’t have much fragrance, but they are colorful, dependable and low-maintenance flowers for this time of year.

Cyclamen is an annual flower that is great for containers. Its flowers appear to hang upside down, and the heart-shaped, variegated leaves are fun!

Autumn Joy Sedum is an attractive option to add variation to the landscape with succulent-like leaves and tons of texture. This sedum is perennial, and (bonus!) insects love the tall, pink blooms.

Go Native For Showy, Fall Color Trees

• Sourwood
• Dogwood
• Redbud
• River Birch
• Coral Bark Maple – yellow leaves and red bark
• Bloodgood Japanese Maple – scarlet leaves

Ashley Frasca is the host of WSB’s “Green and Growing” radio show, on every Saturday morning from 6-9am on 95.5 WSB and on Facebook. She uses her newfound planting knowledge to answer listener questions and learn for herself. Lucky for us, she shares a little bit of what she’s learned, so that we can get our hands dirty in the garden, too. Follow along all year for more of her tips and tricks!