CHANGE OF SEASON

Yesterday I went out to the vegetable garden to see what was prime for picking and ready to become our dinner.  To my surprise, there was very little.  A few gems hung desperately to dead and declining stems, but mostly...it was barren.  It made me sad.

Then as I was leaving this morning I noticed my impatiens, which I swear were full of life and promise only yesterday, were beginning to yellow and wilt. 

Now I was depressed. 

Thank goodness I was going shopping.  No not for the normal retail therapy of shoes and handbags (although I thought about it).  I was heading to The Branch in Highland Park to shop for a few special items to add to my customer's fall arrangements which we will be installing tomorrow. 

As I  perused the offerings of ornamental peppers, swiss chard and of course mums, I felt a bubbling of excitement.  Doing container plantings is one of the most fun and rewarding parts of my job.  And this year I'm trying something a little different.

Instead of being a slave to kale, cabbage and mums, I've decided to incorporate more perennials into my arrangements.  There are several species that lend themselves to a fall palette...Here are some of my favorites:

Grasses
Carex 'Silver Scepter': a great variegated grass which comes on late in spring so it stays nice through fall.
Carex 'Prairie Fire': really nice yellow burgundy hues on fine leaves.
Perennials
Sedum 'Mr. Goodbud': a new one in our nursery.  the color is to die for as is the height.  this is NOT autumn joy sedum, thank goodness.
Heuchera 'Plum Pudding': a favorite in the garden as well.  this purple coral bell has a real punch of color.
Heuchera 'Caramel': this coral bell is difficult to cultivate in beds because it doesn't overwinter well, but it was made for fall containers with its rainbow of caramel colors.
Ferns
Athyrium 'Lady in Red': i love this fern with its blood red stem, there is nothing else like it.
Groundcover
Ajuga 'Black Scallop': this groundcover is covered with gorgeous blue flowers in spring, but it holds onto its slick burgundy leaves through fall.

Add to the above ornamental peppers, little mums in 4.5" pots and ivy and you have the makings of a unique fall arrangement that can hold up to cabbage and kale any day!

My inspiration: