As we approach the season of repose, despite the drought our trees have managed a miraculous last-minute transformation. Flocks of Kamikaze leaves make their final waves before lifting off to float and spin and flutter down in flames. The question is, apart from the trees-the Japanese crab (Malus floribunda) with its orange foliage, and red-streaked yellow-bellied fruits; the Sargent cherry, whose leaves turn to wine in the spring as well as the fall; and the Golden raintree (Koelreuteria paniculata,) with its compound yellow leaves and pyramidal bag-brown seed capsules-what actually looks good at this time of year?
By mid-October (in zone 5) most plants are looking pretty ratty. Leaves are brown around the edges, and speckled with decay. Old dried out flower stalks stick up in the garden like pikes. Seedy billows have lost their charm as they droop over into the mud. I'm never sure whether to love or hate the last-gasp reblooms of summer-flowering perennials as they flounder around with the other debris. So I'm looking. Is it all that bad?
Of course not! Here are some plants to spark up your fall. And remember, if you provide structure in your garden to contain the perennials, like walkways, walls, and hedges, even the blowsiest, seediest garden will look "on purpose" (sort of.)
First, check out the berriers. Not only are they beautiful, but many also provide food for wildlife. The holly is classic. This far north, the only evergreen holly I use is Ilex x meserve 'Blue Prince(ss)'. If you have a reasonably moist area, the Winterberries (Ilex verticillata-a deciduous type of holly,) are also very attractive. Remember that hollies are dioecious: you need to plant both male and female plants.
If you have room, plant Bittersweet (Celastrus.) Be warned, it is rampant. The orange berries show up brightly against the yellowed leaves, which contrast beautifully with garnet colored foliage, such as that on flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) or Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica.)
Beautyberry (Callicarpa sp.) is a showstopper-the berries are a sort of fuchsia purple. The color is a little hard to work with, but worth the effort. Maybe you could add some purple-tinged white mums, Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow', and Panicum 'Heavy Metal' (a bluish switchgrass)? Just do it.
Last, but not least, grow lots of alpine strawberries. They are not difficult from seed. They like cool weather: I have no idea how they escaped frost, but I have gotten berries in November. Children love them; they taste like bubblegum.
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