Plants for Fall Color

Large rounded clusters of lightly fragrant deep fuchsia flowers are produced over an extended period beginning in midsummer and lasting into fall attracting a host of pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, and larger bees. GARDEN GIRLS® Material Girl Garden Phlox, a selection of our native Phlox paniculata, is a tall upright to spreading, clump forming perennial selected for both its brilliant color, long season of flowering, and disease resistance. Provide Garden Phlox with a full to mostly sunny site in an acidic, average moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13280

The tall dense spikes of golden yellow flowers and seedheads are held well above the fountaining clump of wide olive green foliage on sturdy 6' high stems beginning in early August and are showy throughout winter. Golden Sunset® Yellow Indiangrass, a University of Minnesota selection of Sorghastrum nutans,  was selected for its early flowering, sturdy stems that do not fall over or lodge and last through winter, as well as for its reliable zone 3 cold hardiness. it has received high marks in trials and has been in development for about 15 years. This is a wonderful refinement for this showy native grass making it a useful addition to both formal and informal garden and landscape settings. The seed heads provide fodder for songbirds and other wildlife and the foliage is utilized by the Pepper-and-Salt Skipper butterfly as a caterpillar host plant. Provide a full to mostly sunny site optimally in a well-drained loamy soil with average moisture but the plants are fairly adaptable to soil types and are drought resistant once fully established. When not in 'flower' the grass itself is about 3' x 3'. Plants may top out at about 4-5' high the first two years of establishment. Images courtesy of the University of Minnesota. Item# 12850

Airy, wispy, fragrant, tan and pink, conicle panicles are held atop the mounds of deep green foliage in late summer with the plants taking on red tones in fall and lightening to beige for winter. Gone With The Wind Prairie Dropseed, a selection of our native Sporobolus heterolepis, is a tough, herbaceous, medium-sized, clump forming, perennial grass with a slightly more compact size than the typical species and growing to about 36-40" high and 24-30" wide. The flowers are reported to have a fragrance reminiscent of coriander. It is deer and drought resistant and is tolerant of sandy and rocky dry soils but will grow in most soils, including clay, that have good drainage. Prairie Dropseed typically does not reseed in garden and landscape settings. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, well-drained soil for optimum growth and vigor. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13301

Hundreds of 1" wide dark purple daisies are produced in fall atop these dense mounding perennials that could easily be grown in the place of fall mums. Grape Crush New England Aster, a selection of Aster novae-angliae (a.k.a. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), is a clump forming native perennial with a densely branching, naturally rounded habit requiring no pinching, and producing a superior fall show. It doesn't lodge or break over like the species can. The flowers attract bees and butterflies. Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, Gorgonne Checkerdpot, and American Lady. Use these perennials where you would normally buy Chrysanthemums whether as part of the perennial border, landscape, or as container plants. Provide a full sun to mostly sunny site in an average to well-drained, fertile soil with average moisture for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12741

Steel blue spring and summer foliage is topped by nicely contrasting tan colored airy panicles in late summer and fall. In fall the foliage changes to yellow and finally beige creating winter interest and providing food, habitat, and nesting material for a variety of birds and other fauna. Gunsmoke is a selection of our native Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, with an initially upright to vase shaped habit becoming rounded once flowering begins. This is a naturally clump-forming herbaceous perennial that is found throughout much of the US and into Canada, except for the westernmost states, and is a major component of the Tall Grass Prairies. Switchgrass was also used by native Americans to build long-lasting, rain resistant shelters. The foliage is a larval host to the Delaware Skipper, Arogos Skipper, Tawny Edged Skipper, Northern Pearly Eye, and Dotted Skippers. Adaptable to a wide variety of soil types and moisture regimes. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12305

Earned 4 out of 4 stars in trials at Chicago Botanic Gardens! Dome shaped clusters, up to 5" wide, are composed of deep blue pointed buds that open to pale blue starry flowers and are produced in mid to late spring attracting butterflies, larger bees, hummingbirds, and hummingbird moths. Halfway to Arkansas Blue Star, an Intrinsic Perennials selection, is a clump forming, taprooted, herbaceous, native perennial with a dense bushy, almost neatly formal habit once mature and is cloaked in deep green, fine textured, narrow foliage that changes to gold tinged with purple in autumn. Amsonias or Blue Stars are tough, easy, heat and humidity loving, deer and rabbit resistant, and tolerate low fertility soils. Grow Halfway to Arkansas Blue Star in a full sun to partly shaded site and the plants will generally need more moisture or a quality organic mulch in hotter sunnier sites and can tolerate slightly drier conditions where they receive some shade during the heat of the day, while sunnier sites tend to offer the sturdiest growth and best flowering. Images courtesy of Intrinsic Perennials, all rights reserved. Item# 13332

.

3-5" wide primrose yellow flowers with a burgundy eye that quickly fade to orange and near red are produced in summer on this vigorous large shrub to small tree-like Hibiscus with glossy rounded foliage. The Hamabo Hibiscus is an unusual species from China that is salt tolerant and provides beautiful fall colors ranging from yellows to near reds before dropping its deciduous foliage for the winter. In zone 8, plant young plants out early in the growing season so that they will be reliably hardy for their first winter. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a moderately fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 11303

Steely blue-gray spring and summer foliage is topped by nicely contrasting tan colored airy panicles in late summer and fall. In fall the foliage changes to yellow and finally beige creating winter interest and providing food, habitat, and nesting material for a variety of birds and other fauna. Heavy Metal Switchgrass, a selection of the native Panicum virgatum, with an with a strongly upright, columnar, dense habit that remains upright even through heavy rains. This is a naturally clump-forming herbaceous perennial that is found throughout much of the US and into Canada, except for the westernmost states, and is a major component of the Tall Grass Prairies. Switchgrass was also used by native Americans to build long-lasting, rain resistant shelters. The foliage is a larval host to the Delaware Skipper, Arogos Skipper, Tawny Edged Skipper, Northern Pearly Eye, and Dotted Skippers. Adaptable to a wide variety of soil types and moisture regimes. Item# 12854

Texas big blooms are a hallmark of this rich orange flowered crossvine. This is an absolute show stopper when in full bloom! Produces a huge mass of 2-1/2" orange trumpets with yellow throats in late spring with some flowers throughout summer. A vigorous and disease free southern native. 'Helen Fredel' is another excellent introduction from noted Texas horticulturist and author Greg Grant. Attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. Item# 9576.

In early spring, rich pink cherry blossoms cover the bare stems attracting an array of pollinators with pollinated flowers producing 3/8-1/2" diameter, tart fruit that ripen to a deep purplish red in mid to late spring to early summer. The Hiromi Dwarf Afghan Cherry, a selection of Prunus jacquemontii, is a small deciduous shrub growing to about 3-5'H and 4-5'W with an upright to spreading, bushy habit. The plants are self-fertile and have proven to fruit reliably even in the Deep South with minimal chill hours. The weight of ripening fruit can give the plants a semi-weeping habit. The small cherries are semi-sweet and tart when fully ripe and have a fairly large pit. The fruit, which doesn't all ripen at once, can be eaten fresh or made into preserves or jelly, if you have several plants, or left for the songbirds to enjoy. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in well-drained, fertile soils for optimum vigor and growth. The Hiromi Cherry has moderate drought resistance once fully established in the garden or landscape. It is reported to be a butterfly host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. Item# 10641

Small, semi-double, crimson red to rose red flowers with wavy and twisty inner petals, and may have white spots, are centered by a boss of contrasting gold stamens atop white filaments. Flowers are produced early in the season, October to December, attracting bees and other pollinators. Hiryu Sasanqua Camellia, a Camellia x vernalis hybrid, is a vigorous growing heirloom Sasanqua with an upright, well-branched, spreading habit and medium-textured small, dark green, glossy foliage that can exceed 12' high at maturity. Its vigor lends it to use as a screen, hedge, or specimen plant as well as tree forms. The Sasanqua Camellias are much more tolerant of growing conditions than standard Japonica Camellias and can tolerate less than perfect soils and full sun to light shade conditions. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13228

This 2022-23 release is a vigorous upright growing plant boasting bluish-green spring foliage that adorns sturdy red stems with the crescendo of color peaking in fall when the foliage takes on shades of deep purple and burgundy accented by deep red, orange, and pink stems. Holy Smoke Big Bluestem, another excellent Intrinsic Perennials selection of Andropogon gerardii, chosen for its statement making vigor, sturdy upright stems, and seasonal color. The species is native throughout much of the eastern 2/3's of the US and is a clumping to slowly spreading rhizomatous grass whose seeds are utilized by a number of seed eating birds. Provide a full to mostly sunny site with an average to well-drained, acidic soil for the deepest foliage colors and optimum vigor. Plants are in their best form when grown in a low fertility soil. Caterpillars: Dusted Skipper, Arogos Skipper and Delaware Skipper. Photos courtesy of Brent Horvath, Intrisic Perennial Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13170

In summer arching spikes of showy green, flattened seed heads, reminiscent of fish hanging on a fishing pole, are produced which eventually fade to tan and remain showy until late winter or early spring. The seed heads flutter even in the slightest of breezes providing motion and interest for months. One of our most recognizable, useful, and adaptable native grasses, Inland Sea Oats, Chasmanthium latifolium, is a deciduous, small to medium-sized perennial that readily develops into a groundcover via both rhizomes and seed. Its shade and moisture tolerance lend it to use as a tallish groundcover in both full sun to lightly shaded, wet to average moist, naturalistic garden and landscape settings. The decorative seedheads are used both fresh and dried in cut flower arrangements and the foliage is utilized by the Northern Pearly-Eye, Salt and Pepper Skipper, Bell's Roadside Skipper, and the Bronzed Roadside Skipper butterflies. This rhizomatous native grass is widely distributed throughout the central and eastern US from near central and eastern Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas to Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvannia. Tough, adaptable, provides late summer, fall, and winter color, and it's deer resistant. Item# 13108

An Allen Armitage 'no-brainer' perennial! The white full daisies are held atop and among the rich green foliage beginning in mid to late spring to early summer and continuing into fall. The nectar laden flowers are composed of multiple outer rows of white ray petals that have a light tinge of lavender surrounding a dense rounded mass of lemon tinged disc flowers. Japanese Aster, now classified as Aster iinumae previously Asteromea mongolica or Kalimeris mongolica, is a slowly spreading rhizomatous herbaceous bushy perennial growing to about 12-24"H x 18-24"W though some sources suggest that it may reach 36"H. This plant's reliability and flower power have garnered it a top spot among Dr. Armitage's list of "no-brainer" perennials. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in average moist, average to well-drained, fertile soils for optimum vigor and flowering. Use this easy perennial in both the garden and landscape as a tall groundcover or specimen as well as for easy and free flowering container specimens. Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady.

Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 13150

The top performer in both attracting pollinators and disease resistance in the Mt. Cuba Center's trials! Huge conical clusters of smaller than typical fragrant lavender-pink flowers are produced over an extended period beginning in midsummer and lasting into fall attracting a host of pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, and larger bees. Jeana Garden Phlox is an exceptionally vigorous and free flowering selection of our native Phlox paniculata whose stems can touch on 5' by the end of the growing season. This is a hardy, clump forming, deciduous perennial preferring a full to mostly sunny site in an acidic, average moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13194

The small to medium-sized, semi-double, rich rosy pink flowers are centered by a boss of contrasting golden stamens, and each petal may be lightly to moderately centered by white. The flowers are produced early in the season providing a burst of color for mid to late fall. Kanjiro Sasanqua Camellia, a selection of Camellia hiemalis, is a vigorous, upright growing, large evergreen shrub becoming rounded with age. It can be used as a screen, tall hedge, as a specimen plant, and can also be trained into a tree form. Sasanquas are considered much more adaptable to sun or shade as well as soil types, provided they have good drainage, moderate fertility, and an acidic pH. And like the large flowered Japonica Camellias, the Sasanquas will also benefit from a deep organic mulch. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13001

The large to very large, loose peony form, light pink flowers are heavily streaked and flecked with dark pink and gold tipped stamens may peek out from amongst the inner petals. Flowering kicks off just in time for football season, with the first flowers early in the season and lasting into the playoffs, or October to January. Kick Off Camellia is a large flowered Japonica with a vigorous rate of growth and semi-open habit developing into a large upright and rounded shrub at maturity. Provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and an organic mulch. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13231

Clusters of dark pink to red buds open to highly fragrant white flowers in mid and late spring. The flowers may be followed by 1/4" red fruit that ripens to black. The Korean Spice Viburnum is a medium-sized semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub with deep bluish-green foliage with a whitish reverse that changes into shades of brilliant red and purple in fall. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in a fertile, average moist, well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 480

Very fragrant, single, rich rosy pink flowers are centered by a boss of yellow tipped stamens atop white filaments and are produced over an extended period beginning in early season and continuing into midseason, November to January. The headily fragrant pollen laden flowers are sure to attract bees and other pollinators. Koto-No-Kaori Camellia is a C. lutchuensis hybrid with a moderate to vigorous upright, semi-open habit and medium to deep green foliage. The name aptly translates to 'Perfume of the Ancient Capital'. Provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and an organic mulch. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13232

Spring and summer offer up a mound of dark purplish-black foliage that covers up in late summer and fall with contrasting white daisies with a purplish-red eye. The flowers of Lady in Black Calico or Woodland Aster attract a myriad of pollinators like bees, smaller butterflies, and other garden beneficials at a time when many are stock piling for winter. This is an easy and reliable clump forming native perennial selected for its deep dark foliage. Lady in Black Woodland Aster is tolerant of light shade but will have the darkest foliage where it receives the most direct sunlight. May reseed on exposed soils. Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady.. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 12114

Large flattened to slightly rounded clusters of clean white flowers are produced over a long period in late winter and early spring and attract a myriad of pollinators and other garden beneficials. Young stems are deep red to maroon and the foliage is glossy and deep dark green creating a nicely contrasting foil for the white flowers. Lord Byron Viburnum is a hybrid of our natives Viburnum obovatum and V. rufidulum and exhibits the durability and adaptability of both species with a close resemblance to V. rufidulum, the Rusty Blackhaw. Lord Byron naturally develops into a medium to large shrub and its only drawback is that it tends to produce suckers, in our experience, which may be desirable particularly in naturalistic settings. Easy and low maintenance with excellent vigor. Item# 11497

Small, single to semi-double, red to red-burgundy flowers centered by a large boss of contrasting yellow stamens are produced early in the season, October to November, and the pollen laden flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Midnight Lover Sasanqua Camellia is a moderate to vigorous growing, large evergreen shrub with medium-textured, deep green, glossy foliage and reliable zone 7 cold hardiness. Its vigor lends it to use as a screen, hedge, or specimen plant. The Sasanqua Camellias are much more tolerant of growing conditions than standard Japonica Camellias and can tolerate less than perfect soils and full sun to light shade conditions. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13235

A 2016 Louisiana Super Plant selection! The dense neat mound of deep green glossy foliage and red tinged stems is topped by clusters of white flowers in spring which make way to red berries ripening through purple and finally black. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators and the fruit attract songbirds and smaller fructivores. Mrs. Schiller's Delight Viburnum is a selection of the southeastern native Walter's Viburnum, Viburnum obovatum, and its dense mounding habit lends it to use anywhere a small compact shrub is desired in the landscape. It is generally evergreen into zone 8A and tends to be deciduous to semi-evergreen in zones 6 and 7. Use this tough little native shrub in place of Dwarf Yaupon, Indian Hawthorne, or anywhere a small, disease resistant, low maintenance shrub is desired. Provide a full sun to part shade site in an average to well-drained soil for optimum vigor. Images shown are an example of what to expect with this cultivar but are of the common Walter's Viburnum, Viburnum obovatum. Item# 12728