Uncommon Fall Color Combinations

Fall could be better. What a bold statement! I said it. 

If you’re a big fan of fall, just imagine if your garden had a spectacular spot devoted to this season. Don’t get me wrong, our gardens can be pretty all year, but wouldn’t it be a delight if they exploded with color once temperatures started to dip and the days got shorter? If this sounds like a dream come true, I’ve made some fun plant combinations to get you headed in a new direction. These trios have year-round appeal, intense fall color, and will inspire gardeners with deer, shade, birds to feed, and more!

Here’s one of my favorite trios:

Kodiak® Orange Diervilla

If this plant had a nickname it would simply be, “The Problem Solver”. Drought? Shade? Clay soil? Hungry hummingbirds? No worries. It faces every challenge with ease and looks good doing it with russet-colored new growth in spring, reddish-tinted foliage highlighted by constant yellow flowers in summer, and luminous orange fall color.

  • full sun to full shade
  • 3-4 ft. tall and wide
  • USDA zones 4-7 (-30°F/-34°C)

Do I need to deadhead my hydrangeas?

It’s a matter of preference! Some gardeners love the look of dried flowers throughout the winter. They provide beauty when there’s not much else to look at. However, if you don’t like the view or your flowers look a little rough, feel free to deadhead. Watch this video for a quick how-to.

A gardener is using their phone to see texts from Proven Winners ColorChoice.

Invite even more gardening inspiration, info, and how to’s into your life by signing up for our texts.

A gardener holds pruners in one hand and a bunch of deadheaded hydrangea flowers in the other.

What’s the difference between deadheading and pruning? Let us tell you in under 2 minutes.

A brightly colored Incrediball Blush smooth hydrangea planted in a garden.

Calling all cold climate gardeners – check out these 14 super hardy shrubs.

Written by
Kristina Howley

Kristina Howley

I am all in when it comes to gardening. Almost every part of the experience delights me – new leaves emerging in spring, pollinators buzzing in summer, birds devouring berries in fall, and the somber beauty of seed heads in winter. Thanks to a background in horticulture and gardening my own clay-filled, flowery USDA zone 5b plot, I’ve learned plenty of practical things as well. I like sharing these joys and lessons with my fellow gardeners and soon-to-be gardeners any way I can.

Share:

Past Newsletters

All Things Roses

… there is still a little work to be done. Put in some time with your Proven Winners ColorChoice roses this spring, and you’ll reap the benefits…

Read More »

Scholarship Application

*Completing this form does not guarantee a scholarship. A staff member will confirm scholarship availability directly. Receipts must be submitted within 10 weeks from the conclusion of the event.
Gardening Simplified magazine
[everest_form id="4997"]