A Recipe for Fall Beauty - Ilex Farms Main

Southern Living once again graces us with one of Carmen Johnston's timely articles. Carmen is Southern Living's Garden Lifestyle Expert.

A RECIPE FOR FALL BEAUTY
This delectable color palette makes putting together container gardens a delight

At last! The bright, autumn leaves are dancing away from their summer limbs as the cool breeze sings the sweet song of fall. I am absolutely smitten with this sensational season and the beauty it brings.

One of my favorite things about fall is the infusion of rich, natural color. I love rusty-red, burnt-orange, and every single shade of brown.

                          A Recipe for Fall Beauty

I discovered that incorporating metallic accents into container gardens really brings fall surroundings to life. When I came across the copper container used in this design at Frontgate, I knew instantly it was the perfect vessel for fall planting. The hammered legs and stylish, copper finish provide the perfect foundation for any fall combination you can envision.

How to get this this look:

MATERIALS

   1 gallon Lemon Lime Nandina
   Use 1 gallon 'Sunshine' Ligustrum as an alternative
   1- 4” 'Fireworks' Pennisetum
   1- 4” 'Alabama Sunset' Coleus
   1- 4” Purple Pixie® Loropetalum

Step 1: Fill the container with soil and leave two to three inches of space at the top.

Step 2: Plant the 'Lemon Lime Nandina' on the left side of the container.

Step 3: Plant the ‘Fireworks’ Pennisetum next to the nandina at the rear of the container.

Step 4: Plant the Alabama Sunset Coleus on the right side of the container. You may use any grass or coleus for this arrangement, but I prefer ‘Alabama Sunset’ Coleus for its harvest tones.

Step 5: Plant the Purple Pixie® Loropetalum in the remaining space in front. Handle its root system with care.

The Purple Pixie® Loropetalum looks stunning draped over the copper container. Its rich, dark purple really shines next to the bright, chartreuse green of the ‘Lemon Lime’ Nandina. These three colors – copper, purple and green – truly complement one another and create a fabulous foliage arrangement for fall.

Remember: Pixie Loropetalum does not like wet feet, so be sure not to over-water. This beautiful creation is also a full sun container.

PLANTS FEATURED

Below is the author showing us in her own way how she builds a container garden.
It's not the same project, but you may get some tips on the details of the process.

How to Plant a Fall Container Garden