Creating a Fall Garden in a Warm Climate
Overview:
Summers seem to last forever here in Arizona! Picking out plants that can take the heat, while also providing beautiful autumnal colors is important when planning your fall garden. Believe it or not, there are many flowers we can grow here in the South to help us achieve that autumn front porch look. There are three main colors that I look for when picking an autumnal pallet, there colors are red, purple, and orange. There is some variation to these colors, but when they are combined they are pure magic.
Planning:
I like to have an idea of what I like to plant in my fall garden during the early summer months so that I can start prepping my garden in late summer for the fall plants. Sometimes planters can look a little tired towards the end of the summer, and this is a perfect excuse to switch the plants out for fall. Scope out garden centers, they should start to carry these items when they become seasonally available.
My go-to Fall plants:
Mahogony Splendors Hibiscus (Spring planted)
Marigolds
Millet
Mums
Sweet potato vine
Pentas
Peppers ornamental
Purple fountain grass
Verbena
Zinnias (dwarf)
I like to pair a variety of different textures and colors. Typically stick to oranges, burgundy, gold, and purples to bring out the fall colors. All of the fall flowers are summer planted typically except for the Mahogony splendors Hibiscus ( Spring planted). I typically start seeds in June or July indoors and transplants outdoors in July and August. If you are buying from the nursery, check them out in July or August for monsoon plantings.
Examples:
Left Image: Planted in Late July, Purple Fountain grass, celosia, and sweet potato vines
Right Image: Late September update, freshened up shorter celosias with fresh plants, and popped in a mum.
Beautiful mix of fall colors. Mahogany splendors in the back right have the perfect autumnal colors that almost look exactly like Japanese maples. Pairs well with the purple celosia beside it, as well as the ‘Dragon’s Breath’ and ‘new look’ underneath. Can you tell I love celosia? ha!
The Aloe ‘elf’ is poking out the bottom of the picture, which adds to the drama of textures.
Purple celosia - ‘Intenz’ Great for containers or landscapes. Heavily branching variety.
Dragons breath celosia- This is one of my top celosia. It has these feathery plumes that quite literally like look like ‘Dragons Breath’!
Purple fountain grass - always a classing grassy foliage that is great for fall.
Sweet potato vines - This was the first year planting this for monsoon season, and I was in love! This bronzy foliage was the perfect addition to the container line-up.
Marigolds - These are always a classing flower for the fall in hot climates. They come in burgundy orange and yellow, perfect for fall decorating!
Sea of ‘New look’ celosia leading the the plant bench, which of course is filled with more celosia!
We really went off on this set up! The mahogony spendors Hibiscus makes a beautiful backdrop for the fall flowers. Millet, and celosia fill most of the pots below.
