Happy Friday GPODers!

Yesterday we started Cherry Ong’s series on her recent trip to Heronswood Garden in Kingston, Washington with her photos of their bog garden (Part 1). Today we continue this virtual tour with a section of the garden filled with fabulous perennials, shrubs, and grasses that were showcasing some incredible fall interest.

Here are fall scenes of the gardens adjacent to the Heron House at Heronswood. This was my first time to visit in the fall. The textures and foliage remain strong and amazing. For me it’s a delight to see how coveted perennials fare through the season since most garden tours are offered when the gardens are at their peak.

Just like in the bog garden we saw yesterday, a big empty pot is all that’s needed to create an eye-catching focal point. A rusty, orange-red color is the perfect contrast to the many grasses and shrubs that surround in various shades of green.

Some might be itching to give this stately pot a new paint job, but I think the age and wear adds so much more interest and character. Aside from the fabulous focal point, clumps of bright yellow ‘Color Guard’ yucca (Yucca filamentosa ‘Color Guard’, Zones 5–10) really draws attention.

So much fantastic foliage is on display in this little slice of garden, and Cherry captured some great close-up shots to get a good look at the distinct textures and variations in color. In this photo, a Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa, Zones 4–8) is absolutely glowing in chartreuse foliage.

Even the humble fern frond looks lovely through Cherry’s lens. Though it’s no surprise that Cherry has an eye for ferns with her fern-filled side yard being a favorite here at GPOD: (The Fern Fairway, The Fern Fairway in Summer, Early Fall in the Fern Fairway, and Winter at the Fern Fairway).

Though the foliage was undeniably show-stopping, there were a selection of blooms also adding to the performance. This variegated big leaf hydrangea was doing double duty with edges of white on its glossy leaves and tiny blooms ranging with light lavender to cool blue.

For a more vibrant pop of late-season color, Guernsey lilies (Nerine bowdenii and cvs., Zones 8–11) provide a lovely shade of bright pink with their curly petals.

A big yellow pot of  ‘Yellow Wave’ New Zealand flax (Phormium ‘Yellow Wave’, Zones 8–11) will thrill in many landscapes, but it becomes an instant stand out amongst a sea of black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’, Zones 6–11).

Even from a distance, partially tucked behind neighboring trees and shrubs, the yellow pot and mass of black grass draws the eye and pulls you in for a closer look.

A large Japanese mahonia (Mahonia japonica, Zones 6–8) is still looking fabulous in the late season. The glossy foliage adds a touch of shine to the garden, and the spires of blooms have faded into a lovely, muted yellow that compliments the brighter shades in the space.

A paperbark maple (Acer griseum, Zones 4–8) is always a standout in fall landscapes. While the bright, peeling red bark is beautiful in every season, I think it really shines after summer flowers fade.

Thank you for sharing this fabulous fall look at Heronswood, Cherry! I completely agree that it’s just as fascinating, if not even more so, to see these places past their “peak.” We will be returning to Heronswood for one final installment of Cherry’s visit, so keep your eyes peeled for that. And if you’ve visited any public or private gardens this fall, consider sharing your photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos, and have a lovely weekend!

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon

Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use.

Buy at Amazon

Spear & Jackson 4930FZ Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Telescopic tree pruner with SK5 carbon steel blade which stays sharper for longer. Variable length telescopic handle extends up to 92 Inch (2340mm). Lopper for cutting branches up to 1.2" (30mm). 13 inch (330mm) saw is ideal for cutting thicker branches. Supplied with a long cord and pull-action handle. Part of the Razorsharp Advantage collection, the obvious choice for gardeners who demand and expect precise, powerful performance. "Grow Your Own" Great British Growing 2020 Award Winners.

Buy at Amazon