Butterscotch Amsonia - Gold Foliage In Fall - November 2024

I've long proclaimed myself to be a foliage gardener.  That's partially because I'm a shade gardener and partially because flowering plants have always been a little bit outside of my comfort zone.  But, I'm starting to think that I'm also *another* kind of gardener:  a Fall Gardener.  Or at least a late Summer + Fall Gardener.  

The September and October Dahlia blooms this year have taught me to love that part of the growing season.  And now....as things are going dormant in our yard and garden, I'm struck by some things that are happening in Fall.  

What are those things?  Here's one - below.  The EYE-SEARING gold that is coming from our Butterscotch Amsonias in our backyard that are contrasted by the dark green foliage of some Alice Oakleaf Hydrangeas.  This color is borderline shocking. 

It is a little hard to see, but if you look closely, there are a couple of other things worth noting in this photo.  First....the small Emperor 1 Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum) at the front of the bed (right in front of the Amsonia), the Ajuga Chocolate Chip along the border and tucked in behind the Japanese Maple is a small Ginkgo tree that is turning a similarly-colored gold.

I planted these three Amsonia in 2021 (after buying them at the Morton Sale) and posted about their first "Fall Show" in 2022.  

Having a four-season garden is something I've longed to have with my plantings.  Summer is easy.  Spring "just happens".   They say that Winter is the 'hardest'.  But....I'm starting to think that being DELIBERATE about the Fall Season is worth doing.