Depending on where you live in North America, fall in the garden can bring anything from a flood of vibrant color to just the slightest hint of a new hue. Here in New England, we’re pretty lucky to get an explosion of autumnal colors most years. But today we decided to talk about those plants (trees, shrubs, perennials, and yes—even an annual) that can be counted on to express THE most shocking color when the temps cool down, regardless of geographic location. We realize that some of you live in warmer climes, so we have included a few fall bloomers that will put on a show into Zone 9 as well. If seasonal depression has started to set in, beat back those winter blues by listening to this episode, and then head to the nursery to pick up some fall stunners. It’s not too late!

Expert guest: John Forti is the executive director of Bedrock Gardens in Lee, New Hampshire, and author of The Heirloom Gardener: Traditional Plants and Skills for the Modern World. He has previously directed gardens for Plimoth Plantation Museum, Strawbery Banke Museum, and Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Danielle’s Plants

‘Pocahontas’ Japanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis ‘Pocahontas’, Zones 5–8)

Blue-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago caesia, Zones 4–8)

Japanese stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia, Zones 5–8)

White baneberry (Actaea pachypoda, Zones 3–8)

Carol’s Plants

‘Vibrant Dome’ New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Vibrant Dome’, Zones 3–8)

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin, Zones 4–9)

‘Blackhawks’ big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’, Zones 3–9)

‘Rouge Vif D’Etampes’ pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima, annual)

Expert’s Plants

Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans, Zones 8–10)

Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboretum, Zones 5–9)

Poke (Phytolacca americana, Zones 4–8)

Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, Zones 5–9)