10 Season-Extenders for Fall Landscapes

GRACEFUL GRASSES^® 'Fireworks' (pictured) and more varieties of Purple Fountain Grass Pennisetum
Purple fountain grass is an absolute classic for fall landscapes and containers. But did you know that it has two variegated siblings? ‘Fireworks’ is a pinky-red variegated sport with a fiery glow. It is a bit more restrained than the species and bears the same showy purple plumes. ‘Sky Rocket’ is a vigorous green and white variegated sport with light purple plumes. All three last long into fall, providing winter interest and food for birds until the heavy snow falls.

Planting Partners: Primo^™ Heuchera, Little Henry^® Itea

SUNSATIA^® Blood Orange^™ (pictured), Coconut, and Lemon Nemesia
Nemesias are classic annuals for fall plantings as they are exceptionally cold tolerant. Their warm toned, plentiful blooms make them ideal for fall-themed baskets, containers, and in-ground plantings. The star of the series is Sunsatia Blood Orange. Its fiery red-orange blossoms appear right up until frost.

Planting Partners: Superbells^® Calibrachoa, Graceful Grasses^® Toffee Twist Carex

SUPERBELLS^® Tangerine Punch (pictured), Plum and 32 more colors Calibrachoa
Thanks to breeders who are selecting for increased cold tolerance in Calibrachoa, they can now be included with confidence in both spring and fall combinations. Superbells are available in a staggering array of vibrant colors, many of which fit easily into the richer, earthy-toned combinations that are popular in the cooler fall months. Their trailing habit makes them ideal candidates as spillers in hanging baskets and upright containers.

Planting Partners:Supertunia^® Petunias, Laguna^™ and Lucia^® Lobelia

PRIMO^™ and Dolce^® Heuchera (Primo^™ 'Black Pearl' pictured)
If you are looking for a more high-end option for window boxes, deck planters and landscapes, try a mix of fall-toned coral bells. They pair very well with ornamental grasses and have the added advantage of being perennial in zones 4-9. Coral bells are versatile plants for sun or shade that provide year-round interest with their evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage.

Planting Partners: Graceful Grasses^® Toffee Twist, My Monet^® ‘Sunset’

ROCK ‘N GROW^™ Sedum (‘Lemonjade’ pictured)
Bees, butterflies and gardeners delight in the late summer and fall flowers of sedums. They are a breeze to grow in full sun and aren’t too choosy about sandy or clay soils. This year, try something different than the standard ‘Autumn Joy’ types. All of the Rock ‘n Grow Sedums offer something unique, from the citron yellow flowers of the upright ‘Lemonjade’ to the groundcover habit of 'Superstar'. All are hardy in zones 3-9.

Planting Partners: Prairie Winds^® Grasses, Brandywine^™ Viburnum

BERRY HEAVY^® (pictured) and BERRY HEAVY^® Gold Winterberry Ilex
Though they are attractive shrubs in the spring and summer landscape, it’s what happens in late fall and winter that really counts for Winterberries. Berry Heavy bears dense masses of extra large, shiny red berries that persist long after its leaves have fallen. Berry Heavy Gold is equally attractive with bright gold fruits. Winterberry will create visual impact wherever it is planted, but it is especially striking when planted en masse. The Berry Heavy series grows 6-8’ tall and is hardy in zones 3-8.

Planting Partners: Soft Serve^® Chamaecyparis, Arctic Fire^™ Cornus