In most places, fall brings the year’s most pleasant weather.
Just as welcome is the foliage show that accompanies it—reds, oranges, yellows, burgundies, pinks, and parchment browns. The fall garden show is brightest in the Upper and Middle South, where autumns are cooler and fewer pines and cedars dot the countryside. Fall garden color is hit-or-miss in the Lower South; and missed in the Coastal and Tropical South. But when conditions are right, fall plants take center stage. When choosing perennials and annuals that embody the fall spirit, try to visit the garden center during the season so you can see exactly what the color becomes. Or look to reliable fall plants and trees like the flowering dogwood, sugar maple, and viburnum. Spring may be considered the biggest growing season, but fall is an excellent time to plant trees and shrubs—it allows them time to grow roots and transition into your garden. In November, think ahead for spring and buy and plant your perennials and bulbs. Also, remove spent summer annuals and replace them with pansies or other cool-weather annuals like mums—you’ll find them in every shape and color in fall gardens across the country.
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