A colorful and easy-to-maintain fall garden bed can be created with a mix of shrubs and perennials that attract butterflies and other beneficial visitors. This combination of plants provides late-season interest and requires minimal care. Late-blooming New England aster and turtlehead are essential components, offering a vital source of nectar for pollinators.
These plants thrive in a spot that stays a little damp, making them a great choice for areas where the soil doesn’t dry out quickly.
Little Henry Virginia sweetspire is a compact shrub that has a significant impact on the fall garden. It produces fragrant white flower spikes in early to midsummer, followed by glossy green foliage that serves as a backdrop for later-season blooms. In the fall, the foliage turns brilliant shades of red and orange, often lasting for several weeks.
Native to the southeastern United States, Virginia sweetspire is a great alternative to invasive burning bush in regions where it’s a concern. Deer and rabbits tend to leave this shrub alone, making it a desirable choice for gardeners.