Sharing a bit of gardening inspiration here that I found recently while walking through the grounds of the Willows Lodge, in Woodinville, WA. The crisp, Autumn stroll with my pooch revealed many ways in which raised beds can still manage to be attractive well after Summer.  Each gardening year brings new learnings for me, and the walk helped me realize I don’t put enough focus on the fall season in my yard.  As the following photos reveal, there are easy ways to keep things looking beautiful and interesting.  Such as in this first photo.   

I love how the sage plants and zucchini are contrasted with the bright oranges of marigolds and pumpkins.  Those simple, inexpensive additions of brightly colored fall squash and flowers really make the space light up.

In this second photo, there is so much to capture one’s eye, starting with the long border of burgundy violas in the foreground.  They add a nice Fall spark to this large, raised bed, with their color echoing the chocolate browns and magentas elsewhere; and their golden centers pick up on the yellows beyond. Another interesting touch is the placement of thyme plants in an intentionally curved line around the large rose bush on the left.  Such a simple trick to draw one’s eye further into the plantings. That curve also seems to mimic that of the round pot in the center, filled with Greek Myrtle - a shrub I definitely need to learn more about. Placing pots in planting beds is not a new idea to me, but I love how this one adds structure and height while it’s color echos the pale, silvery blue of the nearby lavender shrubs.

If you’ve read my Instagram posts, you’ll know that I have a thing for blue flowers, which are pretty rare.  So it was with surprise and delight that I stumbled across this lovely plant at the Willows Lodge, a blue sage!  While I can’t be sure, it’s likely Salvia Guaranitica Black and Blue, also known as Blue Anise Sage. Whatever its name, it’s a fun addition to an Autumn garden. Imagine it next to some white pumpkins…

The last learning that I picked up during my stroll comes thanks to a potted vining Mandevilla.  So pretty, and surprisingly hardy given the cold nights we’ve already been having.  The lesson is more about the planting structure than the plant itself, much as I like it.  It’s that one doesn’t always have to put climbing poles in a pot with a plant.  Seems obvious as I write this, but well, I guess I haven’t been thinking outside the pot enough! Positioned around a container, the poles can add more breadth to the growing vine. It looks almost shrub-like in this photo. Of course, this only works when the pot is placed in a garden bed, but it’s a great way to add additional height, width, and texture to a garden any time of year.

Got fall – or any time of year - gardening ideas to share? Chime in!