fall decorating
Autumn Glow Pansies (Viola sp.) in shades of yellow, orange, red and lavender — plus green-and-yellow ‘Angelina’ stonecrop (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’) — bring fall-inspired color to a New York home’s entry. The bright and low-maintenance combination, by The Crafted Gardener, spills over the sides of its bowl-like container for an exuberant seasonal display. Water requirement: Regular Light requirement: Full to partial sun
To give some serious pizazz to existing container gardens by adding just one plant, reach for purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’), as shown in this design by Michelle Jacoby, Changing Spaces. The dramatic ornamental grass can reach 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide (although usually smaller in containers) with a vase-like shape topped with fuzzy purple seed heads. Although often grown as an annual in colder climates, it will continue to look striking
The colors here are very much autumn, and the table looks amazing. However, the grouping of candles and the quite large vase of mums are too oversized. It will really minimize the flow of conversation. I like that in addition to the mini pumpkins is a ring of a berry vine around each one. Adds an additional layer of texture. I also like how instead of placemats or a single tablecloth, a runner was used crossways for each pair of settings. If you do this, think about alternating by using two colors, say a light and a dark. Then for napkins use the light napkin on the dark runner, and the dark napkin on the light runner.
For this entryway arrangement in front of a Chicago home, Greenhaven Landscapes filled a pair of limestone urns with purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’), bedding mums and trailing wire vine (Muehlenbeckia sp.). The urns stand proudly above a cascade of pumpkins and gourds spilling from harvest buckets onto a bed of hay.
Nail the placement. Simple arrangements of pumpkins can really shine if you get them in the perfect spot. Here are two tricks for getting the placement just right. First, look for nook-like places like corners formed by garden walls, porch stairs or a curve in a walkway, where a pumpkin or two will look nestled. Second, choose the pumpkin color (white, pale yellow, orange or deep orange-red) based on the backdrop. For example, the cool blue-gray gate above works as a perfect complement for pumpkins in a medium orange, making them stand out from the street. Other pairings to try: white or pale yellow pumpkins against a dark backdrop, or deep red-orange against wood.
Create a fall vignette. Steal a few design ideas from the arrangements at your local nursery or pumpkin patch. First, play with levels. Use hay bales, a few overturned pots or a wooden bench to boost up pumpkins or pots of flowers. Second, use a variety of colors and textures. Pumpkins, knobby gourds and mums in gold, orange and burgundy work in harmony to make a festive fall scene.
Colorful Cottage Style Matching charcoal-hued planters filled with jewel-tone plants and flowers flank this Chicago home’s front door. The mix of asters, mums (Chrysanthemum sp.), celosia and ornamental grasses gives the designs, by The Inspired Garden, cottage-style charm. Water requirement: Regular Light requirement: Sun to partial shade
Q