As the days shorten and nights cool, many people tend to forget about their garden. Sure, you may have some burnout, but more than you do not realize that there are a variety of flowers and shrubs that relish the shorter days of autumn. Many of these shrubs are among the most colorful of the year, and their rich deep tones are a perfect compliment to pumpkins and fall foliage.

As with any garden, you should plan your garden carefully, planting your tallest specimens in the back of your garden, and staggering the plants rather than sitting them in straight lines. The flowers and shrubs that will add the most to your fall garden will thrive in sun or partial shade, getting a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight for best results. Just because you plan to enjoy this garden in the fall, do not think you can neglect it the rest of the year. Plant the shrubs and flowers in the spring and fertilize them every six weeks through the summer. They will also benefit from a covering of shredded bark or other mulch to help them retain moisture, as well as keeping the soil at a consistent temperature.

When planning your garden you may want to consider Witch Hazel and Spanish Broom, two shrubs that are both fragrant and colorful. Some excellent flowers are Salvia, Joe Pie Weed, and Sedum. These will bloom in late summer, and hold their blooms well into autumn.