Fantastic Fall Gardening!

No, we are not Vermont, and there may be an exodus of foliage fanatics headed east, but right here in western Kansas we have some bragging rights also. Your garden doesn’t have to shut down just because fall is here.  Armed with a list of fall performing flowers, shrubs and trees that are still earning their garden space into the waning months, a bit of planning on paper translates to a garden that still pops when you are planning for Turkey Day.
Planning for fall colors is more than just trees.  The oaks, ornamental pears and Chinese pistache may be the backbone of late season color, but shrubs can add another level of interest to the mix.  Add to that the grasses that are heading out and why go anywhere else to revel in fallish fantasies?

Burning Bush in Shirley's yard

Anything in the viburnum shrub family will color up reddish to bring the eyes down from the treetops to mid border level.  The large dried orbs of the Annabelle hydrangea and berries hanging on to the cranberry cotoneaster are a stunning blend.
Don’t forget the flowers.  Mums, tall sedums and asters stirred up with the fading flowers of Blue Victoria salvia and Russian sage stave off the impending wintery shut down for as long as possible.  Leave the dried heads on the echinacea and goldenrod for the birds.  A little planning means long- term gardening.

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