70 GARDEN GATE | The Perfect Autumn Garden | OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 149
Create contrast Autumn is a season of contrast — one day it’s warm, the next day cool. But in a
garden, contrast can mean something totally different. Here you’ll want visual contrast. That means choosing
plants whose color, form and texture look good together. The best combinations often pair plants that are
completely different from each other. And you want seasonal contrast, too. After all, a garden changes with
the seasons, and no matter what the time of year, you want it to look its best. Not all plants shine all of the
time, but with careful arrangement, your garden can.GO FOR GRASSES Ornamental grasses are
one of the backbone plants of fall gardens —
and for very good reasons. Most of them are
at their showiest in autumn. And the striking
form of this bold maiden grass (Miscanthus
sinensis) is very distinctive. Even after they’ve
gone dormant, most grasses maintain a
strong, good-looking presence in the winter
garden. Leave them standing so you can
enjoy their waving heads and rustling brown
foliage until next spring.CONCENTRATED EFFORTS Don’t have
room, or the time and energy, for a large
autumn border like the one on the last page?
For the best impact in a limited space, focus
your autumn plantings in one area, like this
garden entrance.ROUND FLOWERS This gate planting has
a cheerful, welcoming look about it. Part of
that is due to the simple, open faces of these
pink anemones (Anemone x hybrida). Their
shape contrasts so well with all of those spiky
grasses. And they contrast with the fl at fl ower
heads you fi nd at this time of year, too, like
the tall sedums (Hylotelephium hybrid) in the
lower right of this photo. While this scene isn’t
fi lled with traditional fall colors, it is easily
recognizable as autumn because of the plant
combinations.PHOTO: © Jerry PaviaGG14967_83_BONUS.indd 70GG14967_83_BONUS.indd 70 6/26/2019 12:29:16 PM6/26/2019 12:29:16 PM70 GARDEN GATE | The Perfect Autumn Garden | OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 149
Create contrast Autumn is a season of contrast — one day it’s warm, the next day cool. But in a
garden, contrast can mean something totally different. Here you’ll want visual contrast. That means choosing
plants whose color, form and texture look good together. The best combinations often pair plants that are
completely different from each other. And you want seasonal contrast, too. After all, a garden changes with
the seasons, and no matter what the time of year, you want it to look its best. Not all plants shine all of the
time, but with careful arrangement, your garden can.GO FOR GRASSES Ornamental grasses are
one of the backbone plants of fall gardens —
and for very good reasons. Most of them are
at their showiest in autumn. And the striking
form of this bold maiden grass (Miscanthus
sinensis) is very distinctive. Even after they’ve
gone dormant, most grasses maintain a
strong, good-looking presence in the winter
garden. Leave them standing so you can
enjoy their waving heads and rustling brown
foliage until next spring.CONCENTRATED EFFORTS Don’t have
room, or the time and energy, for a large
autumn border like the one on the last page?
For the best impact in a limited space, focus
your autumn plantings in one area, like this
garden entrance.ROUND FLOWERS This gate planting has
a cheerful, welcoming look about it. Part of
that is due to the simple, open faces of these
pink anemones (Anemone x hybrida). Their
shape contrasts so well with all of those spiky
grasses. And they contrast with the fl at fl ower
heads you fi nd at this time of year, too, like
the tall sedums (Hylotelephium hybrid) in the
lower right of this photo. While this scene isn’t
fi lled with traditional fall colors, it is easily
recognizable as autumn because of the plant
combinations.PHOTO: © Jerry Pavia