Fall Planting Combinations

Fall comes early to the Rocky Mountains. Subtle changes in the light, the angle and intensity of the sun, and more variable temperature fluctuations all point to the shortening of days and the ultimate end of the growing season.

In the garden, the greens and blues that characterize mid-summer blooms (Delphinium, Scabiosa and Hosta) are replaced by the hot colors of fall, made more intense by the changing foliage and shorter days.

Perennial for Fall Gardens

Hot pinks, yellow, purple, and white make up the basic color palette for fall color in the mountain garden. These colors are made more brilliant by the sunlight. As such, shady areas should not be planted with these perennials. Plants for consideration are listed below, including their bloom color:

• Monarda – for hot pinks and reds, consider the following varieties: “Coral Reef”, “Marshall’s Delight”, “Raspberry Wine”, and Monarda fistulosa.
• Echinacea – these colors are more subtle, but for high altitude gardens, consider the following varieties: “Harvest Moon”, “Tomato Soup”, “White Swan”, and “Ruby Giant”.
• Phlox paniculata – consider the following: “David”, “David’s Lavender”, and “Blue Paradise”.
• Rudbeckia – “Goldsturm” highlights a garden with masses of yellow-orange flowers.
• Sedum – mountain gardens are incomplete without the succulent leaves and soft pink flowers of “Autumn Joy”.
• Aster – there are many varieties, and all seem to do well in mountain gardens. Bright pink and purple add yet another texture and color to the palette.
• Geranium sanguineum – “Alpenglow” or “Dragon Heart” are low growing perennials with hot pink blooms in fall.
• Leucanthemum x superbum – the perennial Shasta daisy.
• Achillea – “Coronation Gold” is a tall yellow yarrow that should be a staple in any mountain garden.

Planting Combinations

The perennials listed above can be combined for successful color and textural combinations in the garden. Try any of the following:

• Monarda “Coral Reef” or “Raspberry Wine” and Achillea “Coronation Gold” for a bold yellow and pink accent.
• Phlox paniculata “David” and Achillea “Coronation Gold” give a soft white and yellow glow to the garden. The florets of the Phlox and the flatter heads of the yarrow make an interesting textural gesture as well.
• Rudbeckia “Goldsturm”, Aster and Sedum “Autumn Joy” create a cacophony of color in the garden.

Annuals in the Garden

In general, a perennial border that uses annuals to fill in the gaps is not recommended. The garden tends to look more like a fruit salad than a well-conceived combination of color and texture. However, mixing annuals such as cosmos, sweet peas, sunflowers and violas into a fall-specific perennial bed is recommended for additional color and texture. Stay away from petunias and geraniums as they tend to be leggy and over-grown by the end of the growing season.

Ornamental Grasses

Grasses, planted in pots or directly into the ground, add a subtle color and textural quality to the garden. The tall foliage and seed heads brush golds and tans against the hot colors of the perennials. Grasses for consideration include:

• Festuca cinerea – Blue fescue grows in tufts from 4″ to 18″ in height.
• Helictotrichon sempervirens – Blue oat grass is a clumping grass reaching 2 – 3′ in height.
• Calamagrostsis acutiflora “Karl Forester” – Feather reed grass can grow up to 7′ in height.
• Deschamsia cespitosa – Tufted hair grass grows in clumps of dense, hairlike green foliage up to 3′ in height.

Planting bulbs

Don’t forget to plant bulbs in the fall. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and alliums will return year after year to add delight and soft color to the spring garden.