This week I’m here to show off visions of peak fall color in my tiny townhouse back garden. Hey, maybe it’ll inspire other gardeners in small spaces.
The top photo is the view as you approach the garden from the interior sidewalk behind my lot. Showing their colors are a Purple Smokebush (Cotinus x Grace) with orangey-red leaves and a Fothergilla ”Mount Airy’ in a lighter orange. Behind the Smokebush is a Japanese maple ‘Orido Nishiki’ in dark red. And in the foreground are the evergreen Acuba ‘Picturata’ and a new Ninebark.
The ‘Rising Sun’ Redbud on the left has already lost its leaves but it was stunning all season. I heard lots of comments about its chartreuse leaves.
From my house I only see the tops of this little garden over the privacy screen; neighbors passing by on the sidewalk see it more often than I do. I hope they notice it.
In the center of the back garden are three Amsonia hubrichtii, finally yellowing up in October. They’re splayed over two of my favorite groundcovers – Sedum takesimense and groundcover comfrey. The Japanese maple behind it hadn’t begun its fall show yet.
In November the Amsonia has reached its peak orange and the Japanese maple has turned.
Here’s my Oakleaf Hydrangea ‘Snowflake,’ a year after planting and showing nice fall color, as they do. (Yes, this is the same variety I complained about so bitterly for its lack of fragrance or benefit to pollinators.)
It occurs to me we rarely see views of gardens from inside, especially from second-floor windows. But this is the view from the stationary bike in my bedroom, where I sit for 45 minutes almost every day, so it’s an important view for me.
A newer Japanese maple ‘Osakazuki’ with dark red foliage is seen on the left.
Finally, another view from inside – this time from my porch. I wish I could tell you the variety of the maple but it precedes me or the owners I bought from. Back then, 12 years ago this month, there was lawn, some badly pruned azaleas, lots of weeds, and this one keeper.
Y’all, I’m TRYING to enjoy fall color without thinking of what’s coming – cold, leafless times, which I honestly dread. Four seasons be damned!