Show Me the Color

As the fall season comes full circle, it’s important to notice your plant compositions as a whole; from your largest trees to groundcovers and perennials. As mentioned in a past blog, now is the perfect time of the year to gain a long-term design vision when multiple layers of detail are exposed in the garden. It is also important to notice the seasonal interest, its many changing colors and how these hues play off the architectural elements of your property.

Most people pay little attention to the subtle color hues of their perennials but many of these plantings display outstanding fall effect. For an example, in one of our plant beds, our River Birch is turning its spectacular fall yellow. The birch, planted in the middle of a large drift of perennials acts as the bed’s anchoring force. In the forefront, there is Sage and Nepeta F. ‘Blue Wonder’; both displaying a powdery green hue. Geranium ‘Nimbus’ mentioned in yesterday’s blog portrays the deep colors of red and orange with hints of yellow. Behind the geraniums are drifts of daylilies with arching yellow blades and the Crocosmia 'Lucifer' displaying vertical flames of a similar color. In the background, a Highbush Blueberry, Winterberry and Maiden Grass add the finishing touches. The stone wall and the red barn are the architectural elements that bond everything together. (Photo - Greg Bilowz)

The inspirational gardening thought of the day is by someone who truly understood the importance and concept of color - Georgia O'Keeffe. “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.” Dabble in your garden to find the colors and shapes that there are no words for … enjoy what is to be a beautiful Indian Summer Day in New England.