Fall came quickly, but thanks to a wet spring we had some amazing fall color over an Indian summer for the past few weeks.  There is not much left in the garden in bloom, just a lot of leaves to haul back for composting. However, I love the form of the fall garden- I truly think there is beauty in decay  There are few plants I don’t appreciate for their form.  Below are a few plants I really enjoy having throughout the winter for their ghost forms in the often barren garden. I am not one of those gardeners who come through and clear cut the garden come fall.  I enjoy the transition of the seasons.  The autumn color palette, though it is not my favorite, plays an important role in reminding us of the season that was and the anticipation of the seasons to come.

Here is a breakdown of the plants I gathered for the arrangement.

Above: Chasmanthium latifolium- norther sea oats

Above: Asclepias syriaca- common milkweed

Above: Amsonia hubrichtii- blue star

Above: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’- eulalia grass

Above: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’- eulalia grass, Echinacea purpurea- coneflower, Hakonechla ‘All Gold’- Japanese forest grass

Above: Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ – smooth hydrangea