Underrated Plants For Fall Color
When I start thinking about fall color, I want to hop in the car and drive up to the Smoky Mountains to see all the changing colors. Not just the trees, but the understory plants, too. I love hiking up a trail and seeing the array of bright oranges, deep burgundies, and yellows. And I think, “How can I bring a little bit of that magic home with me?” Some of the other native plants in the landscape that boast fall interest include shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses. You can add a wide range of color to your fall garden with blooms, berries, and foliage color. Below are some of my favorite native plants that deserve more appreciation this time of year.
There are quite a few native ferns that turn yellow, orange, or bronze as they age into the fall. Ferns also make excellent groundcovers when planted en masse. These include: Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), Hay-scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula), and Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum). Ferns typically do best in shade gardens, but some species can handle some sun. Do some research before selecting a location to plant!
One of my favorite native ornamental grasses is Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). Little Bluestem’s bluish stems turn burgundy and develop white, feathery seed heads. The stems will remain throughout winter if you don’t cut them back, and they look fantastic covered in frost! Another great choice is Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), which will give you more height and a wider range of fall color, depending on the variety.
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) has distinct, purple berries clustered along its stems during the fall. This deciduous shrub can reach up to an average of 5 feet tall and wide, so make sure it has enough space to grow. Beautyberry’s leaves turn yellow in the fall, too, for an extra treat.
A cultivar of a native ornamental grass is ‘White Cloud’ Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris). Its seed heads are beautiful white plumes in the fall, and I would recommend planting them in groups for a more dramatic effect. If you haven’t seen the White Muhly Grass before, you might have seen Pink Muhly Grass. It looks similar but with pink seed heads.
Old Fashioned Mum (Chrysanthemum x rubellum) isn’t a native perennial, but it does make an impressive impact in the fall garden. A bright spot during gloomy fall days. Its sage green foliage reemerges in the spring and makes a great groundcover.
Are you looking to add more fall color to your garden? Check out the Landscape Design or Garden Services pages to see how I can best help you!
