Do you ever feel like fall pulls you in two directions—wrapping up the current growing season while already wondering what’s next? This week we’re doing a little of both: taking a look at what’s coming our way in 2026 garden trends, giving our gardens one last burst of color, and sharing a few smart tips for fall cleanup.
Every fall, we look ahead to the ideas and design shifts that will inspire gardens in the year to come. This year, landscape designer Rebecca Sweet highlights how gardens are evolving into spaces that are richer in color, deeper in purpose, and more connected to nature than ever before.
From bold jewel-tone plantings (pictured) to the growing movement toward keystone plants, the latest trends celebrate gardens that are both breathtaking and resilient. Think: gardens that glow, give back, and ground us, where beauty and ecology meet in inspiring ways. Pictured: Poppies in the Tanner garden, photo by Rebecca Sweet.
Give your garden one last burst of color! Proven Winners rounds up reliable fall flowers and ornamental grasses that keep beds, borders, and containers glowing through the cooler months. From deep burgundies to feathery plumes that sway in the breeze, these picks prove autumn can be just as showy as summer. Pictured: Prairie Winds® 'Apache Rose' switch grass, Little Lime Punch® panicle hydrangea, and Summersong® Firefinch™ coneflower.
When fall arrives, it’s tempting to rake, trim, and tidy everything, but not all garden “mess” is bad. Some debris shelters pollinators and enriches your soil through winter. The key is knowing what to cut back and what to leave standing. Our new guide helps you strike that balance—plus, there’s a free printable Fall Cleanup Checklist to make the job easier.
When nighttime temperatures start dipping below 50 to 55 degrees F, it's time to protect our more sensitive outdoor container plants. There are a number of plants that can, and should, be moved inside over winter—even in milder climates—such as coleus (pictured). From trimming and pest-checking to adjusting light and humidity, this step-by-step guide walks you through bringing your plants safely indoors so they’re ready to return outside in spring. Photo by: Proven Winners.
Don’t let its size fool you! Little Lime® hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) may be petite, but it’s big on color and charm. Compact enough for containers yet bold enough for mass plantings, it delivers lime-green blooms that shift to pink and burgundy as fall arrives.
A sturdy grower (no flopping!), it blooms reliably on new wood and thrives in Zones 3–8 with full sun to part shade. Whether fresh or dried, its flowers bring year-round appeal, and plenty of awards to prove it.
If you’re looking for more ways to help pollinators and birds this season, I enjoyed this quick read from the National Wildlife Federation: Five Simple Ways to Create Habitat This Fall. They share simple ideas that have a big impact. Which is your favorite?
Happy gardening!
—Linda
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