Plants I Dig: Autumn Color

I’m again being drug into fall kicking and screaming. Slowly the soft colors start to beguile me and convince me that its just another lovely color change. But, I know in my head that winter isn’t far behind with color gone except for gray and green outside the window, very seldom is it white. This, the beginning of autumn sees pinks, burgundy, and soft crushed purple starting to show. The leaves haven’t had enough cold to turn yet and apples are trying to hold on to their branches. If you look up images of fall colors you usually see the future progression of fall. Brilliant reds, vibrant orange, shocking yellow caused by cold temps and sometimes frost. But right now, in the ‘inbetween’, soft colors abound. Blue of Caryopteris with the red purple of Panicum Shannondoah holds its own in the lowering autumn light. Coleus seem more vibrant as the summer flowers start to fade. Hydrangeas in amazing variations sing every color of the rainbow. Blue, Purple, dark green, soft pink, soft red, and buff colors all intermingle, sometimes even on the same plant.

Hydrangea Zebra with black stems is lovely with fading flowers.

Trycirtus – Toad Lily stays dormant until early fall. The out of this world flowers are not to be missed.

Pennisetum ‘First Knight’ – A hardy Pennisetum with vibrant deep purple and great structure.

Lusicious Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ – Deep Raspberry blooms that continue to color to deep red.

Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree – Leaves, always deep purple, contrast with the lighter purple Agastaches Blue Boa. The Albizia Julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’ leaf takes on a deeper hue then turns brilliant orange before dropping off.

Cercis ‘Rising Sun’ – Amazing bright green leaves color apricot gold. New growth is touched with burgundy before turning bright green

Impatiens omeiana – Variegated leaves sprout in spring and are attractive. The real show starts in fall with bright yellow flowers. It’s a hardy must have for fall flowers.