The Biggest Landscaping Trends You Can Expect to See This Fall

by Corcoran McEnearney

It’s never too early to start thinking ahead to your fall landscaping. Though it’s only the middle of August, autumn will be here before we know it! To find out what’s trending this season in the landscape world, we spoke with Jordan Clough, associate principal at Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture in Washington, DC, who shares his insights below.

Traditional Fall-Like Hues

Bring on the festive fall hues. “Fall is a time of bright colors, lean into it with plantings that highlight the season,” Clough says. Don’t stop with just maple trees, get creative when it comes to perennials, too, he suggests. Some of his favorite picks for the season include Amsonia, New England Aster (“a high contrast of gold foliage and purple flowers, and it can be seen in person at the National Arboretum if you are curious”), Witch Alder, Autumn Fern, and Stonecrop Sedum.

Maximalist Design

If you love decorating your indoor space to the max, you’re in luck, because the maximalist aesthetic is having a moment outdoors, too, Clough says. “Add some patterns and color accents with outdoor rugs, outdoor pillows, or a boldly-patterned throw blanket near the fire pit or outdoor fireplace,” he suggests. “With the days getting shorter, lighting will also become important, and with this trend you can accessorize with lanterns or candelabras.”

Photo courtesy of Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture

Cozy Fire Pits

Make the most of cool nights outdoors with a fire pit or related setup. “I particularly like ‘fire tables,’ which usually have a deep rim or ledge for setting drinks, and can double as a coffee-table type of furnishing when they are not lit,” Clough says. Of course, you’ll want to determine whether you’re seeking a manmade or natural solution in the yard. “When considering a fire feature, gas (natural or propane) offers a clean, easy-start, and practically zero maintenance, but in my opinion nothing beats the smells and sounds of a wood fire,” Clough adds. And, he notes, don’t forget about wood storage—a rack or metal ring, for example, is helpful to store and protect wood.

Off-Season Florals

Coneflower, False Indigo, Black-eyed-Susans, Bee Balm, and other flowers with dark seed-heads can last throughout cooler months, Clough shares. “These add great interest to the garden through the cold months with their contrast against the snow and light grasses, and giving some height and structure to a garden bed,” he says. “These seed heads also provide essential cover and food for our local birds and wildlife.”

Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelance writer, originally from Bethesda, MD. She contributes to a number of national design and lifestyle publications like Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, and more. Sarah also works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots. Find more shelfies on her Instagram page, @sarahlyon9