THE FALL GUYS: 5 Filler Plants for Fall
November 1, 2015
Filler plants provide backdrop and interest against the showy fall foliage of Maples, Oaks, and Dogwoods. Stars of the show may steal the show, but they are not the same without ‘backup singers’. Filler plants blend showy specimen plants with the landscape creating an ebb and flow of interest, color and texture. The following five plants fill Southern landscapes in the Fall:
Filler plants provide backdrop and interest against the showy fall foliage of Maples, Oaks, and Dogwoods. Stars of the show may steal the show, but they are not the same without ‘backup singers’. Filler plants blend showy specimen plants with the landscape creating an ebb and flow of interest, color and texture. The following five plants fill Southern landscapes in the Fall:
1) Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)Northern Sea Oats are low profile in Spring and early Summer until the green seed heads emerge. In Fall, the seed heads turn bronze blending beautifully with the woodland surround. Easy to grow and drought tolerant, they also adapt in part shade.
2) Many-flowered Aster (Symphyotrichum laterifolium)Fields are abundant with asters in fall - especially prolific are the small white Many-flowered Asters seen in wildflower and native gardens.
3) Goldenrod (Solidago Canadensis)The brilliant yellow of Goldenrod fades in mid to late season to a mellow glow. Goldenrod volunteers in abandoned fields with little to no cultivation. Allergy suffers are quick to judge Goldenrod as the culprit of their symptoms because the yellow flower is so pronounced at the same time allergy symptoms begin early in the season - the true culprit is inconspicuous Ragweed, which blooms at the same time. You can also find hybrid varieties at your local garden center early in the season.
4) Groundseltree (Baccaris hamifolia)Groundseltree is a large shrub in the daisy family. It can be found in open sunny fields and if left to grow will reach surprising heights. The small white flowers, which cover the plant mid to late fall, also serve as nectar for Monarchs. The fine textured flowers create a picturesque ‘Monet effect’. Good fortune or a specialty nursery is your best chance of acquiring Groundseltree.
5) Fragrant Tea Olive (Osmanthus x fragrans)Fragrant Tea Olive sports minuscule flowers that some gardeners reference as insignificant. It is anything but insignificant! Included in the list for more than visual interest, it fills the Fall landscape with the most irresistible fragrance. It is sensitive to extreme cold. Osmanthus x fortunei is more cold hardy and can easily be found at local garden centers.
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