As autumn paints the city with its quintessential palette, our green thumbs itch for a splash of color in home gardens. It's not all about pumpkin patches and corn mazes; Wendy Pappas, APRD's Urban Forestry Land Manager, wants you to know that your backyard can bloom with vivid colors till winter knocks. According to the City of Arlington, Pappas recommends four fall-flowering plants that'll keep your landscape from going drab.
First in the lineup is the aster, a plant rocking blues to purples, pinks to whites. "Aster flowers bloom so abundantly that the flowers can completely cover the leaves of the plant," Dodson wrote, per the City of Arlington. For those residing in USDA hardiness zones 4-8, a full sun spot and well-draining soil will see your asters steal the fall show. Next, the Black Eyed Susan, a cheerful bloomer that sticks around until October. It's a full sun fan that'll pay dividends by attracting local wildlife with its golden charm and resilience in zones 3-9. But keep a watch; they reseed themselves and might give you more bangs for your buck than you anticipated.
Then there's the Mexican Bush Sage, an easy-care staple for those seeking drama without the fuss. Its white or purple flowers are perfect for filling out larger spaces without needing excessive watering. The perennial purple coneflower also gets a nod from Pappas. "Hardy in zones 3-9, this perennial is also well-loved by pollinators," Dodson noted, as per the City of Arlington. Each stalk can tower up to 5 feet, flaunting hues of lavender that last deep into the season.
