Summer's second act

Now that autumn is officially here, it seems more like summer. Temperatures have soared into the 80's nearly every day this month--something we northeasterners didn't see in July.

I, for one, am making the most of the Indian summer--spending time in my garden and admiring plants, like the morning glory, above, which would normally be on the decline during this time of year. Everywhere I turn, I see the effects of a very rainy summer followed by warm fall days. Plants are huge and healthy, and longer lasting.

Tree leaves are not as brilliant as normal, since it's the cooler temperatures that broadcast the signal to stop producing chlorophyll. That will happen soon--sooner than I wish. In fact, with the promise of brilliant color right around the corner, I'm enjoying summer's second act. You should too. Get outside and tour a winery, pick some apples or just stroll through your neighborhood. It's also a great time to plant spring bulbs.

Autumn-themed window boxes

The summer's nearly over, but that doesn't mean planting season is kaput! Hardy plants and dried flowers will carry window boxes and planters through autumn--and, in some cases, even into winter.

The key is to choose plants that won't wilt and die until temperatures dip below freezing. Hearty red geranium and petunia (pictured above) tend to stay in shape even when the mercury slides into the forties, and upper thirties. Of course chrysanthemums last a good long while, and provide plenty of spectacular color, but consider filling in sparse areas with unlikely species--dwarf boxwood and cyprus, winter cabbage, the dried mop heads of hydrangea, and even the "cinnamon sticks" from the fern of the same name. They all look fantastic in fall (as you can clearly see in the photo).

Go a step further--as seen in the picture--and paint window boxes a cheery hue the color of sugar maple leaves, and accent windows in strips of rich green wood for a look that's both rustic and elegant.

If time and/or money is an issue, gather a bunch of fallen leaves in three or four different shades and exercise your creativity: arrange them in a soil-filled window box or planter around existing plants, or even by themselves. You can even add small logs (1"-2" wide) into the mix. Slender white birch logs look amazing in these types of designs, especially when combined with Christmas ferns, which stay green all year long, and the explosive red seed heads of switch grass. Festive!