Tips to transition your summer greenery to fall foliage

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Bring on the pumpkins, the mums, and all things fall.

With a new splash of warm colors and plants that will last through the colder months, your outdoor décor and gardens will have a new cozy feel.

“There are a lot of things you can use besides your traditional cabbage, kale, pansies, those sorts of things. There's a whole array of fall-ish items that you can use. A lot of people tend to go more with annuals, but we love to incorporate shrubs and perennials in your container because then you can extend your season,” said Jeff Wallitsch, of Wallitsch Gardens.

If you don't know where to start, lets hop right in.

“First one here is the fall blooming anemone, and this can be something you can either put in a container or in your garden. It's really pretty. Its very wispy,” Wallitsch said. “We have the celosia, the marigold, traditional cabbages and kale.”

Then fill in empty space with ornamental grasses, small evergreens, and of course, pumpkins. And don’t forget mums! But be particular when buying them. You want to pay attention to the buds, and buy them before they bloom.

“You want to get the plants that have tighter buds on them. That way they're not going to be bloomed out. They'll last a little bit longer,” said Wallitsch.

Here's a bonus — fall plants are usually a little more low maintenance. It’s a nice little break after a long hot summer of gardening.

“If we do have 90 degree day weather, check your plants. They may need a little more water,” Wallitsch said. “Hot weather, yes, water daily. When it starts to cool off a little bit more, you don’t have to water as much.”

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