Planning a Spectacular Fall Garden: Seven Expert Strategies

Autumn gardens can rival summer's beauty with thoughtful planning. Here are seven expert strategies from garden author Leslie Land.

1. Define Your Fall Garden Goals

Determine what you want: continuation of spring/summer color and texture? Screening an unsightly view? Highlighting autumn-specific colors and plants? Filling gaps as warm-weather plants fade? Clarify your objectives before planting.

2. Design From Indoor Views

"Take a look at your garden from the inside. What do you want to see out your windows in fall?" This perspective guides plant selection and placement for maximum daily enjoyment.

3. Apply Timeless Design Principles

"The rules for good gardening are not repealed in fall." Use complementary shapes/colors, attractive foliage, repetition for visual consistency — just as in spring and summer.

4. Embrace Non-Flowering Plants

Ornamental grasses and other non-bloomers shine in autumn. "It's good to be reminded how many ways there are to have beautiful colors with plants that don't have flowers."

5. Choose Multi-Season Performers

Plants with autumn transformations — foliage color change, persistent seed heads, winter structure — deliver exceptional value. Oakleaf hydrangea: "four-season delight" with changing foliage, dried flower heads, winter structure. Clematis offers terrific seed heads for fall gorgeousness.

6. Prioritize Structure and Scale

Leafless trees provide sculptural outlines. Dwarf varieties (e.g., 15-foot Chinese elms) make specimen trees manageable. Shrubs with berries offer wildlife appeal and multi-season interest.

7. Seek Unique Autumn Varieties

Beyond standard mums and asters, explore unusual autumn-hardy varieties. Korean mums sheared to 18 inches create beautiful groundcover with flowers behind.