As the leaves begin to change from greens to vibrant reds and oranges, so change the shades of our backyard plantings. Blooming fall perennials keep the autumnal color show going. We asked local landscapers to share their favorite fall perennials.
Hardy Plumbago “Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (Hardy Plumbago) has great fall flowers, and later in the fall the foliage turns red. It can grow in sun or shade and can tolerate dry soil conditions once established. It only gets 6-8 inches tall and is a great perennial to use as a groundcover.” -Jim Meiners, Prestige Landscape.
Toad Lily Tricyrtis “When other things are winding down, the Toad Lily Tricyrtis perennials come alive. The Asian perennial has orchid-like blooms and does well in light shade with rich soil. They grow from 1-3 feet tall, and best of all, they are deer resistant.” -Linda Coonrod, Chesterfield Valley Nursery.
Sweet Summer Love “'Sweet Summer Love' Clematis vine is a favorite fall perennial. As a mature vine, 'Sweet Summer Love' Clematis can produce over 1,000 scented blossoms. Flowers start deep red, then mature to purple-red, then purplish-violet to violet. Its exceptional cherry-vanilla fragrance will perfume the whole yard. Blooming begins in midsummer and continues through fall.” -Ann Lapides, Sugar Creek Gardens.
Flame Grass “One of our favorite fall perennials is Miscanthus Sinensis var. Purpurascens, also known as Flame Grass. This grass has upright form and reaches around 4 feet in height. As the name suggests, it turns brilliant red-orange in the fall. It prefers full sun and is ideal for group plantings in larger landscapes.” -Daniel Mee, Frisella.
Fall Aster “The Fall Aster is an excellent dwarf perennial for borders and small gardens. The perennial features clear-blue, yellow-centered, daisy-like flowers that bloom in the fall, a time when few plants are in color. It also tolerates heat and drought.” -David Sherwood, Sherwood’s Forest.
Marmalade Heuchera “The Marmalade Heuchera’s dramatic foliage ranges from deep-golden to glowing reddish-pink with undulating margins. Golden mature foliage features contrasting hot-pink undersides. It is a vigorous grower of heavy substance that is showy in many seasons.” -David Sherwood, Sherwood’s Forest.
