A Recipe for Fall Beauty

Southern Living once again graces us with one of Carmen Johnston’s timely articles. Carmen is Southern Living’s Garden Lifestyle Expert.

RECIPE FOR FALL BEAUTY

This delectable color palette makes putting together container gardens a delight.

At last! The bright, autumn leaves are dancing away from their summer limbs as the cool breeze sings the sweet song of fall. I am absolutely smitten with this sensational season and the beauty it brings.

One of my favorite things about fall is the infusion of rich, natural color. I love rusty-red, burnt-orange, and every single shade of brown.

I discovered that incorporating metallic accents into container gardens really brings fall surroundings to life. When I came across the copper container used in this design at Frontgate, I knew instantly it was the perfect vessel for fall planting. The hammered legs and stylish, copper finish provide the perfect foundation for any fall combination you can envision.

Fall Look 2

How to get this this look:

MATERIALS

1 gallon Lemon Lime Nandina
Use 1 gallon ‘Sunshine’ Ligustrum as an alternative
1- 4” ‘Fireworks’ Pennisetum
1- 4” ‘Alabama Sunset’ Coleus
1- 4” Purple Pixie® Loropetalum

Step 1: Fill the container with soil and leave two to three inches of space at the top.

Step 2: Plant the ‘Lemon Lime Nandina’ on the left side of the container.

Fall Look 3

Step 3: Plant the ‘Fireworks’ Pennisetum next to the nandina at the rear of the container.

Fall Look 4

Step 4: Plant the Alabama Sunset Coleus on the right side of the container. You may use any grass or coleus for this arrangement, but I prefer ‘Alabama Sunset’ Coleus for its harvest tones.

Fall Look 5

Step 5: Plant the Purple Pixie® Loropetalum in the remaining space in front. Handle its root system with care.

Fall Look 6

The Purple Pixie® Loropetalum looks stunning draped over the copper container. Its rich, dark purple really shines next to the bright, chartreuse green of the ‘Lemon Lime’ Nandina. These three colors – copper, purple and green – truly complement one another and create a fabulous foliage arrangement for fall.

Remember: Pixie Loropetalum does not like wet feet, so be sure not to over-water. This beautiful creation is also a full sun container.