As summer’s heat gives way to crisp, cool days, many of us look forward to spending more time outdoors, especially in our gardens. Fading blooms may suggest the season is winding down, but in Colorado, fall can be one of the most visually rewarding times in the garden — if you take the right steps ahead of time.
Every garden is unique, and as a living ecosystem, it naturally changes with the seasons. Designing with seasonal progression in mind helps create a landscape you can enjoy throughout the year.
GO WILD FOR INSPIRATION
Colorado’s naturally stunning landscapes have inspired gardeners for generations. The vibrant gold quaking aspen is quintessential to the season, while the Rocky Mountain maple dazzles in fiery reds and bright oranges. But you don’t need to head to the mountains to be inspired, all you need is a trip to Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms.
Nestled southwest of Littleton, Chatfield Farms is a 700-acre native plant refuge and an ideal place to see seasonal garden design in action — and gather ideas for your own outdoor spaces. The cultivated Gardens of the West showcase design techniques that add visual interest while featuring plants well suited to Colorado’s climate. Be sure to stroll the tree-lined trails and explore the Deer Creek Natural Area for more inspiration.
ELEMENTS OF GARDEN DESIGN
“Balancing texture, structure, and color is a great way to start designing a garden with year-round visual interest,” says Grace Johnson, Assistant Manager of Horticulture at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. “Grasses and shrubs provide form and structure, and late blooming perennials can dazzle with color.”
Some plants, like native grasses, shrubs, and perennials with interesting silhouettes, provide both texture and structure, but there are distinct differences between the two elements. Texture refers to the tactile feeling a plant evokes, while structure is the backbone of your garden and what gives it shape after flowers are no longer blooming.
When it comes to color, striking fall foliage is a hallmark of the season. Where spring and summer are known for vibrant, energizing colors, fall and winter gardens have a more sophisticated palate. “Color is not just for the warmer months,” says Johnson. “There are many late-blooming perennials, like asters, goldenrod, chrysanthemums, and pansies, that add color to a fall garden.”
Creating a series of layers and architectural forms with plants of different sizes, shapes, textures, and colors allows for a garden to naturally transition through the seasons. “Consider leaving some of your plants standing after their flowering periods end,” says Johnson. “They can be transformed by frost, snow, and low winter light.” They also support a healthy backyard ecosystem, as perennial seedheads provide much-needed shelter for pollinators throughout the winter months.
WATERWISE RESOURCES FROM DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
Choosing plants that thrive in Colorado’s climate helps ensure your garden will be resilient. Denver Botanic Gardens has many resources to support water-wise gardening, including classes, how-to guides, and plant lists. Visit BotanicGardens.org/Education/Water-Wise-Resources for a list of upcoming courses including how-tos and tips.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Gardens are an extension of our personal style — both are consistently evolving and changing with the seasons. Effective garden design is about more than chasing peak bloom, it’s about creating a sense of progression. Gather inspiration from your natural surroundings, take chances, and remember that there is beauty in every season.
FIND YOUR INSPIRATION AT CHATFIELD FARMS
See these garden design principles come to life at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. Set across 700 acres, this native plant refuge and working farm showcases Colorado-adapted landscapes in every season. Wander through the Gardens of the West, explore nature trails, and visit the historic Hildebrand Ranch. Whether gathering ideas for your own landscape or simply spending a day outdoors, Littleton's Chatfield Farms offers inspiration around every turn.
Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms
8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd
Littleton, CO 80128
BotanicGardens.org/Chatfield-Farms