Fall Means Color!

Often thought of as the end of the gardening season, fall is really one of the most colorful seasons of the year. During this time, the trees put on their best show of scarlets, reds, oranges, golds and purples. Fall-flowering perennials provide spectacular blooms while ornamental grasses wave their plumage in the landscape. To add additional color in beds, borders and containers, plant mums, pansies, ornamental cabbage and kale. Feed plants regularly with Schultz Bloom Plus or Jack’s Blossom Booster and remove spent flowers to extend bloom time. This fall, show your true colors by adding some fall color to your garden.

Red Fall Color

Trees:
Acer species (Maples)
Amelanchier x grandiflora (Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry)
Cornus florida (Dogwood)
Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood)
Cotinus coggygria (Smokebush)
Crataegus species (Hawthorn)
Liquidambar styraciflua (American Sweetgum)
Pyrus calleryana ‘Cleveland’ (Cleveland Pear)
Quercus palustris (Pin Oak)
Stewartia species (Stewartia)

Shrubs:

Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush)

Aronica arbutifolia (Red Chokeberry)
Berberis species (Barberry)
Cotoneaster species (Cotoneaster)
Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush)
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo)
Rhus aromatica (Gro low Sumac)

Aronica arbutifolia (Red Chokeberry)

Groundcovers:
Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper)

Yellow Fall Color
Trees:
Betula species (Birch)
Carpinus betulus (European Hornbeam)
Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree)
Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey locust)
Gymnocladus dioicus (Kentucky Coffee Tree)
Quercus robur x bicolor ‘long’ (Regal Prince Oak)
Tilia cordata (Greenspire Linden)

Shrubs:
Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet)
Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf Fothergilla)
Rhamnus frangula ‘asplenifolia’ (Fernleaf Buckthorn)

Purple Fall Color

Trees:
Prunus cerasifera (Plum)

Mahonia species (Oregon Grape Holly)

Shrubs:
Ilex meserveae (Blue Holly)
Juniperus horizontalis varieties (Juniper)
Leucothoe species (Leucothoe)
Mahonia species (Oregon Grape Holly)
Rhododendron P.J.M. (Rhododendron)
Viburnum species

Deterring Deer

Short of a fence, the next best thing is to take advantage of two weaknesses of deer – they’re creatures of habit and they are easily scared. Anything you can do to mix up their habits or make them think there is danger nearby might be enough to make them go elsewhere in search of food. But, deer aren’t foolish. If they realize the danger isn’t real, they will return. Therefore, you must rotate any repellents or scare tactics you try.

Plants Deer Won’t Like

Deer in large herds with insufficient food will eat almost any garden vegetation, particularly in harsh winters. You can minimize deer damage by choosing plants that are the least favored and avoiding those that are the most liked, among their favorites are azaleas, rhododendrons, yews, roses, Japanese maples, winged euonymous, hemlocks and arborvitea. The following is a list of plants rarely damaged by deer.

TREES
Chinese Paper Birch
Colorado Blue Spruce
Dogwood
Serviceberry
Scotch Pine

SHRUBS & CLIMBERS
Barberry
Boxwood
Caryopteris
Common Buckhorn
Cotoneaster
Creeping Wintergreen
European Privet
Holly (Shamrock)
Hydrangea
Lilac
Mugo Pine
Potentilla
Rose of Sharon
Spirea
Viburnum
Weigela