Fall color is subtle in Austin, but I’ve been enjoying the flowering of autumn perennials like our native fall aster (Aster oblongifolius). Purple sunbursts!

This aster grows like a groundcover and benefits from an early summer trim, by about half, to keep it from flopping by fall.

Forsythia sage (Salvia madrensis) is my favorite fall flower — at the moment. I blogged about its mellow-yellow spires this week, and it’s still lighting up the shady border around the Circle Garden.

‘Dragon’s Blood’ sedum has blushed a deeper chocolatey red with the cooler temps. A bright-green sedge that jumped into the pot on its own provides a good contrast.

I keep seeing Texas spiny lizards sunning themselves on the new fountain pedestal, sometimes two that share the space. This one gave me a bright-eyed look last evening.

At Barton Springs Nursery a few days ago, I was transfixed by this shimmering, golden American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), magenta berries clustered along its branches. What a beauty!

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Digging Deeper

Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Stay tuned for more info!

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