September 19, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 29 For experienced gardeners, autumn is more than a time of chrysanthemums, pumpkins, and apple cider. This is the time gardens display some of their grandest and most stately flowers. To be sure, autumn perennials are among the best and brightest of the entire year, and as any good gardener knows, the trick to designing a great perennial garden is to have something blooming all the time. For fall bloomers to be hardy in the garden, they should be planted and established early in the season, so start thinking about what you need to fill in any gaps What’s blooming: Autumn color in your garden in your landscape or what new plants you would like to try. Take a look at some fall gardening magazines to get some ideas. It may help to take a walk around your property to visualize where landscape improvements are needed or where you might put in a new flowerbed. The most important things to think about are scents, textures, shapes, and colors. Autumn bloomers tend to blossom in the jewel tones of the season, and include deep purples, rusts, scarlet, and gold. To make this a fall to remember, explore a few of these tried and true favorites that Fall clematis Russian sage bring out the very best of the season: New England asters bears loads of pink, blue, purple, and white flowers that are great in the vase or in the garden. Butterflies love them. Bearing one of the season’s best scents, sweet autumn clematis clothes itself with fragrant white flowers at season’s end. Note: This can be a fast-growing, aggressive vine. Fall would not be fall without the cheery yellow flowers of goldenrod. This is a tough, beautiful plant that looks good despite summer heat and drought. It is fun to have some contrast to all the warm autumnal shades. Russian sage does the trick with its airy blue flowers and silvery foliage. Another reason to love it: It’s tough as nails, and both the foliage and blooms have a great scent. This article was submitted by Jessica Orellano, landscape designer at Jacobsen Design and Construction in Midland Park.