Friday, September 16, 2011

Fall Color

While vacationing in Maine last week, I couldn't help but notice the leaves were starting to turn brilliant colors of orange, red and gold. Bright yellow Goldenrod was everywhere, which according to my sister is a sign that Fall is in the air. So, why should northerners be the only ones to enjoy the show? There are many tropical plants available to those of us in Florida, that when combined together will give your home and landscape an Autumn look that would make any New Englander jealous!
Inside your home you can create a stunning table centerpiece just by placing Petra Croton foliage in a vase or using them as a base with mini-pumpkins and squash on top. The colors of the Petra Croton leaves are perfect for a Fall look.
Outdoors in the full sun, in addition to the vast array of Croton choices, you might consider using Bulbine, Red Fountain grass, Bromeliads or Firebush. Dallas Red or Gold Lantana will give you that bright red, yellow, and gold look.
In slightly shady areas of our nursery, we have planted the combination of bright green and black Sweet Potato Vine during the Fall months and it was a beautiful tribute to the season. Dragonwing Begonia and Coleus are also great choices for shade with new varieties coming out on the market all the time.
At your main entry or on your deck, throw in a couple of hay bales from your local feed store along with some Indian corn and potted flowers for a bit of Fall decor. Don't forget to pull up your Adirondack chair and sit down with a cup of hot apple cider to enjoy the full affect. Happy Fall!