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| Photo Credit: Theresa Riley |
| Use coleus, sweet potato vine, firespike and ‘Profusion Orange’ zinnia to create a tropical fall container. |
Having lived in Florida all my life, I appreciate our year-round outdoor weather and the fact that we can garden and grow things at least 10 months of the year. I have to admit, though, sometimes I envy the way my Northern friends get to experience changing seasons – especially the dramatic colors of fall. And as a garden center owner on Florida’s central east coast, I have many customer “transplants” from the North who long for the beauty of autumn color as summer turns to fall.
While we can’t control the weather to hurry the arrival of pleasant, cooler temperatures, we can satisfy our longing for stunning “fall color” in the landscape through the use of tropical foliage plants. If you’re looking to capture all the reds, oranges, yellows and browns of autumn at once but you don’t know what to plant, try the always popular crotons or coleus. Crotons typically grow from 4-6 feet and provide a permanent burst of color to your landscape. Coleus also adds a kaleidoscope of fall hues, and they can vary in height from 12-36 inches. Cordylines are herbaceous perennials that come in a beautiful array of reds and greens reminiscent of northern climates. And while tropical Heliconia may evoke images of the Caribbean rather than of Vermont forests, they’re great for bringing in oranges and yellows. With their colorful, long leaves, Dracaena marginata ‘Tricolor’ or ‘Colorama’ make a beautiful backdrop for a fall display. At full maturity, these specimens can reach 10-12 feet tall, but they’re easily maintained at 6-8 feet with proper pruning. Dracaena prefers well-drained soils and adapts to light conditions ranging from shade to full sun.
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