The garden’s in transition right now. Summer blooms are winding down, but there’s still plenty of color, texture, and interest to be found if you know where to look. From foliage that carries the show to shrubs that shine in fall and winter, this week’s picks are all about extending the season and making your garden work harder for you. Plus, we’ve rounded up a few tools that make late-summer tasks a whole lot easier.
As summer flowers wind down, take a look at bold foliage plants to keep your garden vibrant into fall. Yes, there are also plenty of colorful fall flowers (we'll take a look at those next week), but a strong foliage framework can make a garden feel full and intentional this time of year. Photo by: Proven Winners.
Did you know that repeating colors can pull scattered beds together, bold leaves can create a focal point, and contrasting textures keep things from feeling flat? Designer Rebecca Sweet shows us how to use foliage not just as background, but as the design element that gives your garden structure and style. Pictured: Garden of Ruby Andrews.
Tools to Tackle the Season
Why let your garden fade when the seasons change? These 12 shrubs look stunning in the landscape and provide branches and berries you can snip for vases, wreaths, and holiday décor. From berry-laden hollies to colorful dogwood stems, they’ll keep your garden (and your table) vibrant well into fall and winter. Pictured: Pearl Glam® Beautyberry (Callicarpa hybrid) for Zones 5-8. Photo by: Proven Winners.
Aphids on roses, whiteflies on veggies, spider mites on houseplants? One of the best things we can learn for both ourselves and our gardens is how to deal with problems like these in safe ways. Using neem oil is one common way to treat many pests and plant diseases naturally—for both indoor and outdoor plants.
When the heat is on, 'Denim 'n Lace' Russian sage shines. This standout variety shows off lacy sky-blue flowers held on amethyst calyxes all summer into fall, with a tidy upright habit that won’t flop. Fragrant foliage, drought tolerance, deer resistance, and hummingbird appeal make it as tough as it is beautiful. Try this easy-care star in sunny borders or mass plantings.
This year I planted an entire container just with caladiums; no flowers at all, just foliage. It's really made me think more about how foliage alone can provide plenty of color. If you'd like to explore more ways to design with foliage (and focal points), I hope you'll join us for our September webinar with Karen Chapman. Check out more info here & get registered! Hope to see you there!
Happy Gardening!
—Linda
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