Does seeing the leaves change in fall ever get old? We hope not, because we have some of our favorite colorful trees to share, along with information on how to create a wildlife-friendly landscape, what bulbs to plant now for cut flowers in the spring, and how to make smart plant choices for your pets. Plus, see how adding a beautiful hydrangea to your garden can also support a great cause!
Top Trees for Colorful Fall Foliage
If the promise of fall color has you wanting to add a tree to your yard (and it's a great time to plant one!), you're going to love these recommendations for a few of our favorite colorful native trees. Plus, see below for more on what to do with the leaves after they fall. Pictured: Sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Photo by Paul Rezendes.
Check out this interactive map to see when & where fall colors are at their peak: Fall Foliage Prediction Map
See how these Delaware homeowners, along with the help of a local landscape architect, created a garden that attracts a wide diversity of wildlife, from a host of beneficial insects to birds, amphibians, turtles, foxes, and so much more—even skunks are welcome! The garden is centered around a pond and waterfall that is a hub of activity, with regular visitors that come to drink and bathe. Create your own wildlife-friendly garden with tips that can be applied to gardens of all sizes and locations.
"We get some deer damage and apply repellent to select plants, but our goal is to co-exist with nature as much as possible." - Morty Bachar, homeowner
Cutting Gardens: Food for the Soul
Having fresh-cut flowers in the house is a delightful way to lift your mood and share the beauty of nature with your family. Most bulbs make outstanding cut flowers that come back year after year. There are hundreds of spring-flowering bulbs to plant now and enjoy later—choose from fragrant daffodils to giant alliums, and more.
Visit FlowerBulbs.com for more information.
Keeping Pets Safe—Inside & Out
It's that time of year when many gardeners are deciding what to add or subtract from their garden for next year or thinking about bringing a little green inside with houseplants. But do you know which plants are safe for pets and which are poisonous? Find out how you can make the best pet-safe choices, both inside and out.
If you know someone who has a furry garden helper, please share this newsletter with them to spread the word about safe and poisonous plants, as well as the other important resources that are included in each of the articles.
Invincibelle Spirit II Hydrangea
This improved version of pink 'Annabelle' hydrangea offers dark green foliage and large deep pink blooms that age to green. Plus, the stems are sturdy and won't flop. If that's not enough to make you want this beauty in your garden, there's more! All year long, Proven Winners donates $1 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for every Invincibelle Spirit II that is sold—with over $1 million dollars already raised! Learn more about the Invincibelle Spirit Campaign and order yours today!
What to Do With Your Fall Leaves
If you're wondering how to put your fall leaves to good use, we've got some ideas for you:
1. Add them to your compost pile—or start one if you haven't yet. Learn how to make compost right in your own backyard.
2. See how our friend Kevin Lee Jacobs creates leaf mold and uses it to enrich his garden beds.
3. Leave the leaves for wildlife, as suggested by the National Wildlife Federation. Fallen leaves provide habitat for many wildlife species, including chipmunks, wood frogs, toads, earthworms, and thousands of insect species.
4. For more ideas, see what The National Gardening Association suggests in their list of Ten Things to Do with Fall Leaves.
Photo by: Kevin Lee Jacobs
What does early fall look like in your garden right now? Take a peek at what other gardeners have shared on our Instagram by searching the hashtag #gdfallcolor—and share your own fall garden photos while you're there!
Happy Gardening!
-Linda
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In Case You Missed It:
Berries for Year-Round Color
Hamptons Haven
Shrubs for Fall & Winter
How & When to Plant Bulbs
New on GardenDesign.com:
Guide to Growing False Cypress (Chamaecyparis)
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