Fall Color in Many Forms
Flowers, foliage, fruit, and seed heads all lend color and interest to the fall garden. Here are some of the best late-season performers recommended by Paulat and Pinson. A yard that’s as densely planted as this one needs some structure to break up the foliage. Paulat and Pinson used a series of trellises to do the trick. They also planted in repeating groups to help tie the garden together. In fall, certain plants with brightly colored foliage serve as focal points, leading the eye to destinations in the garden. One of the most eye-catching is the flaming orange foliage of a ‘Sango-Kaku’ Japanese maple, which highlights the firepit and seating area.
Garden Design Strategy: Water Smart
Paulat and Pinson don’t water often; instead, they’ve designed the yard to get the most out of rainwater. Berms and swales on their property help direct rainwater to plants that need it. Berms: These mounded or raised areas of soil provide well-draining planting spaces. They help direct water away from plants that need more drainage. Swales: Depressed areas of land, swales are strategically worked into the base of slopes to retain water and direct it to plant roots.
