Pumpkins, mums, cornstalks and hay bales are familiar signs of fall, but seasonal color doesn’t have to stop there.
For homeowners in the Hudson Valley, Rockland County and Bergen County, a variety of flowers, grasses and ornamental vegetables can add color, texture and visual interest to gardens and containers as temperatures begin to cool.
Down to Earth Living in Pomona recommends several plants for extending fall color beyond traditional mums.
Plants to Consider for Fall Color
Ornamental Peppers
Colorful fruits in shades of red, orange, yellow and purple can brighten containers and garden beds.
Ornamental Millet
These tall, upright plants feature textured flower heads that add height and interest to fall containers and plantings.
Fall Pansies and Violas
These cool-weather favorites produce colorful flowers and can continue blooming as temperatures drop.
Hardy Chrysanthemums
Available in a variety of colors and flower shapes, hardy chrysanthemums can provide reliable autumn color when planted and cared for properly and can return in subsequent years.
Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
Grown primarily for their colorful foliage, these cool-season plants bring shades of green, purple, pink and white to fall containers and garden beds.
Hardy Asters
These late-season perennials produce daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, blue and white and also provide a source of food for pollinators.
Sedums
Varieties such as ‘Autumn Joy’ develop deeper pink, red and russet tones as the season progresses, adding both color and texture.
Ornamental Grasses
Grasses such as switchgrass and little bluestem add height, movement and attractive seedheads that can extend garden interest into the fall.
Add Fall Color with Foliage
Flowers aren’t the only way to bring color into a fall garden. Plants with colorful foliage can provide interest throughout the season.
Heucheras
Available in a wide range of foliage colors and patterns, heucheras work well in both containers and garden beds.
Coleus
Coleus offers colorful foliage in a variety of patterns and shades and works particularly well in containers.
Purple-Leaf Basil
Its dark foliage provides visual interest, while the plant can also be used as an edible herb.
Swiss Chard
Colorful stems and foliage make Swiss chard an attractive addition to both edible and ornamental gardens.
Refreshing the Garden as Summer Flowers Fade
With a variety of fall plants available, homeowners can refresh gardens and containers with color, texture and seasonal interest well into the cooler months.
Get Help Planning Your Fall Garden
Down to Earth Living Garden Center encourages customers to bring in photos of their garden or backyard, as well as images that inspire them, and speak with Down to Earth experts for personalized guidance on how to bring their visions to life. The team assists with selecting plants, shrubs, containers, and statuary to achieve the desired look. The expanded indoor plant showroom is open all year, and free repotting is available with any plant or pot purchase.
Have You Been to Down to Earth Living?
Down to Earth Living, now in its 56th year, is a Garden Center serving Rockland, Bergen, and Orange counties and the Hudson Valley, offering 12.5 acres filled with perennials, flowers, shrubs, and trees, with new plants arriving weekly. The 10,000-square-foot showroom features a selection of contemporary, classic, traditional, and transitional teak, aluminum, and all-weather dining and deep-seated furniture. Down to Earth Living is located a short distance from Bergen County at 1040 Route 45 in Pomona, New York. For more information, call 845-354-8500 or visit www.dteliving.com.
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