The summer growing season is coming to an end, but that does not mean your landscape needs to go into hibernation. With the right annuals and planting schedule, you can achieve fall foliage that is just as lush, diverse, colorful and interesting as it is during the spring. Thriving in shorter days and cooler nights, fall plants can extend the growing season with flowers that bloom in September and can be enjoyed throughout the fall season.

For a bountiful fall landscape consider colorful pansies, tall snapdragons, climbing sweet peas and gold-hued calendulas (pot marigolds). These annuals prefer cooler temperature and partial shade and can be used in combination to create a variegated landscape. You can also deadhead most of these annuals (pinch off existing flowers) before planting in order to achieve more blooms that will last longer.

Subscribe to our blog for more gardening tips, and contact Columbine Design for full-service landscape design, construction and maintenance in the Metro-Denver area.