Years ago I wrote a bit about how fall color sometimes surprises me. Here in the Midwest we are surrounded by the rich tapestry of autumn trees and goldenrod field flowers, but sometimes overlook the many other forms of fall color. It is a great time to take your camera and notebook and make notes about plants that add to the end season picture- the last hurrah of the garden’s bright colors.
One of my favorite ways to find potential combinations of new plants for the season is to visit an arboretum, Dawes is one in the Central Ohio area, or a fine public park, like Inniswood gardens. Even in years such as this one, which aren’t ideal for foliage, you can still glean many good ideas about berried bushes, late blooming flowers, and colorful perennial and shrub foliage.
I think one of my favorite places to observe autumn tree foliage is the Old Man’s Cave area . Another excellent day trip is through Holmes County, otherwise known as “Amish country”.
Fall is one of the most reliably enjoyable seasons in Ohio.
Be sure to see Gardens in Ohio.