Add Vibrant Fall Color to Your Garden with the Best Perennials, Shrubs, and Trees

Fall is a magical time of year when the air turns crisp, and gardens come alive with a rich tapestry of colors. While spring and summer gardens are known for their bright blooms, fall offers its own palette of vibrant reds, oranges, purples, and yellows. Adding the right perennials, shrubs, and trees to your landscape can create stunning displays that last well into the cooler months. At D.R. Snell Nursery, we have a wide selection of plants that will bring beauty and interest to your garden long after summer has passed.

Perennials for Fall Color

Perennials are a fantastic choice for adding fall color to your garden. These plants return year after year, making them a long-lasting investment. Here are some of the best perennials to add vibrant hues to your fall garden:

1. Asters

Asters are classic fall-blooming perennials that produce daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white. These cheerful blooms thrive in full sun and provide a late-season nectar source for pollinators, especially bees and butterflies.

2. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

Sedum, commonly known as Stonecrop, is a hardy perennial that adds both texture and color to fall gardens. ‘Autumn Joy’ is a popular variety that features clusters of star-shaped flowers that start pink and deepen to a rich copper-red as the season progresses. It also attracts bees and butterflies, making it a great choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.

3. Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Heucheras are known for their striking foliage, which comes in an array of colors like burgundy, bronze, and chartreuse. These shade-tolerant plants are perfect for adding vibrant leaf color to garden beds and borders. Many varieties even hold their leaves through the winter, providing year-round interest.

4. Echinacea (Coneflower)

While Echinacea is often associated with summer, many varieties continue to bloom well into the fall. Their bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, and orange add cheerful color to garden beds. Coneflowers also produce seed heads that attract birds, providing food for wildlife throughout the fall and winter.

Shrubs for Fall Color and Berries

Shrubs are an essential part of any fall landscape because they provide structure, seasonal interest, and, in many cases, berries that attract birds and wildlife. Here are some of the best shrubs for fall color and fruit:

1. Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)

True to its name, the Burning Bush turns a brilliant scarlet-red in the fall, making it one of the most striking shrubs for autumn landscapes. Its fiery foliage creates a stunning contrast to the cooler fall weather. Burning Bush is low maintenance and grows well in both sun and part shade.

2. Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

Beautyberry is a standout shrub in the fall garden due to its clusters of vibrant, purple berries that appear along the stems in late summer and early fall. The berries provide food for birds and last well into the colder months, adding a pop of color to the winter garden.

3. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Winterberry is a deciduous holly that produces bright red berries in the fall. The berries persist throughout the winter, making it a valuable food source for birds. Winterberry thrives in wet soils, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens or low-lying areas of your landscape.

4. Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

Oakleaf Hydrangea offers a spectacular fall show with its large, oak-shaped leaves that turn shades of deep red, purple, and orange as the temperatures drop. The shrub also produces long-lasting, cone-shaped flower clusters that fade from white to pink.

Trees for Fall Foliage

Adding trees to your landscape can provide a dramatic backdrop of fall color that will transform your garden into a seasonal masterpiece. Here are some of the best trees for fall foliage:

1. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Known for its fiery red foliage, the Red Maple is one of the most popular trees for fall color. This fast-growing tree can reach impressive heights and provides a brilliant display of red, orange, and yellow leaves in the fall.

2. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

The Sugar Maple is famous for its vibrant autumn color, ranging from golden yellow to deep orange and red. In addition to its beauty, the Sugar Maple is also the source of maple syrup, adding a practical element to its ornamental value.

3. Dogwood (Cornus florida)

In the fall, Dogwoods offer a breathtaking display of red foliage and clusters of red berries. These small, ornamental trees are perfect for adding fall interest to smaller spaces or as an understory tree in larger landscapes.

4. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Sweetgum trees offer a unique display of star-shaped leaves that turn shades of purple, red, and orange in the fall. Their spiky seed pods add an interesting texture to the garden, even after the leaves have fallen.

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With the right selection of perennials, shrubs, and trees, you can create a stunning fall landscape that will keep your garden looking beautiful well into the cooler months. Visit D.R. Snell Nursery today to explore our wide selection of plants and find the perfect additions for your fall garden!

The Ultimate Fall Lawn Care Guide: Get Your Grass Ready for Next Year

Guys, let’s face it—your lawn is a point of pride. As fall rolls in, now’s the time to get your yard in shape so it can bounce back even better come spring. A few solid weekends of work will pay off with thick, green grass next year. At [Your Garden Center Name], we’ve got the gear and tips you need to make it happen, from the best grass seed to tools that get the job done.

1. Clean Up the Yard

Before you do anything, you’ve got to clear out the debris. Leaves, twigs, and dead grass sitting on your lawn will suffocate your turf and invite disease.

• Lawn Rakes and Leaf Blowers: Whether you’re the old-school rake type or prefer a leaf blower, clearing the lawn is step one. Get the bulk of the debris off the grass to let your lawn breathe.

2. Aerate Like a Pro

After a summer of mowing, playing, and heavy foot traffic, your soil can get compacted. Aeration allows air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil, creating better conditions for strong grass growth.

• Lawn Aerators: If you don’t have an aerator, rent one or use a manual aeration tool. Just poke holes all over the lawn, and you’re setting up the perfect environment for fresh seed and fertilizer.

3. Reseed Your Lawn

Fall is the best time to overseed your lawn, and nothing beats Jonathan Green Grass Seed when it comes to getting that perfect, thick lawn. Whether you’re filling in bare spots or doing a full overseed, here’s what you need to know:

• Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra: This top-tier blend is designed to produce deep roots, drought tolerance, and disease resistance. It thrives in sun or shade and gives you that rich, dark green color every guy wants.
• Jonathan Green Fast Grow: Got some bare patches? This seed mix is ideal for quick fill-ins. You’ll see new grass popping up in just days—perfect if you need fast results.
• Spreaders: A good broadcast or drop spreader is key for getting even coverage. We carry spreaders that make reseeding and fertilizing a breeze.

4. Feed Your Lawn

After seeding, you’ve got to feed it. Fall fertilizing strengthens your grass’s roots and gives it the nutrients to survive the winter and come back strong in the spring.

• Jonathan Green Winter Survival Fall Fertilizer: This is the ultimate fall fertilizer. It delivers a slow release of nitrogen to help grass grow deep roots now and store energy for next season. It’s a must if you want your lawn to look great after winter.
• Osmocote Lawn Fertilizer: Another solid option for long-term feeding, Osmocote gives a steady dose of nutrients over time, ensuring your lawn has what it needs all season long.

5. Control Weeds and Pests

Fall is also a great time to tackle any lingering weeds or pests so they don’t cause problems next year.

• Bonide Weed Beater Ultra: This selective herbicide targets broadleaf weeds like dandelions, clover, and plantain without harming your grass. Spray it now, and you’ll have fewer weeds to deal with in spring.
• Bonide Insect Control Granules: Fall can bring pests like grubs that munch on your lawn’s roots. Spread these insect control granules, and you’ll stop them from doing damage before they dig in for the winter.

6. Keep It Hydrated

Just because the weather’s cooling off doesn’t mean your lawn doesn’t need water. Keep watering regularly until the ground freezes to help new seeds establish and give your lawn the moisture it needs to get through winter.

• Sprinklers and Timers: Make watering easy with our selection of sprinklers and timers. Set it and forget it, and your lawn will get the consistent water it needs.

7. Finish with a Mow

As fall winds down, don’t put the mower away just yet. Keep your grass at around 2.5-3 inches for the final mow. This height helps prevent disease and protects your lawn from snow mold over the winter.

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By following these steps, your lawn will be in top shape for next year. At [Your Garden Center Name], we’ve got everything you need to tackle fall lawn care with confidence. Stop in, grab your gear, and let’s get that lawn looking its best!

How to Bring Your Tropical and Houseplants Indoors: Expert Tips for a Smooth Transition

As the warm summer days start to fade, it’s time to bring your tropical plants and houseplants inside before the cool autumn nights set in. Plants that have thrived outdoors all summer need special care to ensure they transition smoothly back into indoor life without bringing along unwanted pests or suffering from the change in environment.

At D.R. Snell Nursery we’ve got everything you need to make the process simple and successful, from the best pest treatments to premium soils and fertilizers. Follow these steps to keep your plants happy and healthy as they settle back indoors.

Time the Move

Before nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F, it’s time to start the transition. Gradually bring your plants inside over a week or two to help them acclimate to lower light levels and indoor conditions. Be sure to place them in a bright spot indoors, as they will miss the abundant natural light they enjoyed outside.

Treat for Pests

One of the most important steps in moving plants indoors is ensuring they’re pest-free. Bugs and insects can hitch a ride and infest your home if not treated beforehand. We recommend treating with both of the following as systemic can take 2 weeks for the product to be affective.

• Bonide Systemic Houseplant Insect Control: This is a must-have for preventing insects from coming inside with your plants. Just mix it into the soil before you bring your plants indoors. It provides long-lasting protection against a variety of pests, including aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites.
• Bonide Neem Oil: Neem oil is a great all-natural solution for treating leaves and stems. It smothers bugs on contact and acts as a deterrent for futureinfestations. Use it as a foliar spray to keep your plants clean and pest-free.

Repot and Prune

As you prepare to bring your plants inside, it’s the perfect time to give them a little TLC. Inspect their roots to see if they need repotting and trim back any leggy or damaged growth.

• Coco Loco Potting Soil by FoxFarm: If your plants need a larger home, our premium Coco Loco potting soil is the best choice for healthy root growth and moisture retention. This mixis perfect for tropical and houseplants alike, offering the right balance of aeration and nutrients.
• ARS Snips and Pruners: Pruning your plants helps keep them compact and encourages new growth. Our ARS Snips and Pruners are designed for precision cutting, making it easy to trim back unruly foliage without damaging the plant.

Protect Your Furniture

Once your plants are safely indoors, make sure to protect your floors and furniture from water damage by using saucers and cork mats.

• Saucers and Cork Mats: Our selection of plant saucers and cork mats helps catch any excess water and prevents moisture from damaging surfaces. They’re functional and stylish, keeping your home looking great while providing essential protection.

Feed and Fertilize

Indoor plants often need a little boost, especially as they adjust to lower light and reduced humidity. Feeding them the right fertilizer will help them stay lush and vibrant all winter long.

• Jack’s Houseplant Special Liquid Fertilizer: This is our go-to liquid fertilizer forhouseplants. It provides an instant dose of essential nutrients to keep leaves green andgrowth steady. Use it every couple of weeks to maintain strong, healthy plants.
• Osmocote Flower & Vegetable Granular Fertilizer: For long-term feeding, Osmocote’s slow-release granules are a great backup. Sprinkle it into the soil for up to 6 months of consistent feeding.

Clean and Shine

Dust and debris can build up on your plants’ leaves, especially after a season outdoors. Cleaning them not only improves their appearance but also helps them absorb light more efficiently.

• Houseplant Leaf Wipes or Leaf Shine Spray: Keep your plants looking their best with our houseplant leaf wipes or spray. These products are perfect for removing dust and adding a subtle shine to the leaves, making them look as fresh as the day you brought them home.

Help Plants Acclimate

As your plants adjust to indoor conditions, they might drop a few leaves or show signs of stress. This is normal and should only last for a short period. To help them through the transition:

• Place plants in bright, indirect light. You may want to add a grow light!
• Mist the leaves regularly to mimic outdoor humidity levels.
• Monitor soil moisture, as plants indoors often need less water than they did outside.

If you follow these tips, your tropical plants and houseplants will stay healthy and happy through the winter, ready to return outside once spring arrives!