Autumn Landscaping Tips With ALS Landscaping
Autumn in Lincolnshire is a special time of year. The air’s cooler, the evenings are cosy, and gardens start showing off their golds, reds, and coppers. But as summer fades, it’s easy for gardens to start looking a bit tired – especially when the bedding plants call it a day and the patio furniture’s been packed away.
The good news? With a bit of planning and a few clever ideas, you can keep your garden looking stunning well into autumn. From colourful plants to smart hardscaping choices, here’s how to bring a bit of brightness back before winter sets in.
1. Pick Plants That Steal the Show in Autumn
Some plants seem to get all the attention in summer, but there are plenty that really come into their own as the temperature drops. Choose a mix of shrubs, trees, and perennials that keep their colour and texture through the season.
Top picks for Lincolnshire gardens
- Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): Known for its fiery red and orange leaves – a real head-turner.
- Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’: A late bloomer with clusters of pink flowers that fade to rust-red.
- Heuchera: Great for borders and pots, with foliage in shades of bronze, purple, and lime.
- Dogwood (Cornus): When its leaves fall, its bright red stems provide colour through winter.
- Callicarpa (Beautyberry): Produces clusters of purple berries that look great against bare branches.
Pennells Garden Centre in Lincoln often runs autumn plant promotions – ideal for refreshing your borders without breaking the bank.
2. Layer Your Planting
To get that lush, full look, layer plants by height and texture. Taller shrubs and trees at the back, mid-sized perennials in the middle, and low-growing groundcover at the front.
This technique works beautifully in raised beds or along fences, giving your garden structure and depth – even when most plants have stopped flowering.
3. Add Evergreen Structure
Colour doesn’t just come from leaves and flowers. Evergreens like boxwood, holly, and yew provide rich green backdrops that make autumn colours pop.
Planting evergreens in pots near paths or patios is an easy way to keep things looking tidy. They’re hardy, easy to maintain, and don’t mind Lincolnshire’s unpredictable weather (sunshine one minute, sideways rain the next).
For more inspiration, see our post: Creating a Low-Maintenance Garden Before Winter Sets In
4. Think Beyond Plants – Use Hardscaping for Colour
Plants may fade with the frost, but hardscaping brings lasting structure and colour to your garden. Whether it’s paving, gravel, or decorative edging, these features can brighten up your space and make it easier to enjoy all year round.
Ideas to try
- Porcelain paving: Smooth, stylish, and available in light tones that brighten darker spaces.
- Decorative gravel: Golden or reddish gravel complements autumn tones perfectly.
- Timber features: Raised beds, pergolas, or decking made from warm-toned wood add natural colour and contrast.
If you’d like a few design ideas, check out our blog: The Power of Paving: Why Hardscaping Enhances Your Garden
You can also explore materials and advice from Marshalls Landscaping Products – they’re a trusted name for sustainable paving and stone.
5. Make the Most of Lighting
Autumn evenings might be darker, but that’s no reason to stop enjoying your garden. Add warm-toned outdoor lighting to highlight features and create a cosy atmosphere.
Solar lights along paths or LED uplighters under trees can bring a touch of magic. It’s one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to extend your garden’s season – and it means you can still admire your autumn handiwork from the kitchen window.
For more ideas, visit: Outdoor Lighting Tips to Make Your Garden Glow
6. Keep Up with Simple Maintenance
Autumn colour is easier to appreciate when your garden’s tidy. Keep on top of fallen leaves, deadhead fading blooms, and give patios a good sweep.
If you have paving or decking, brush away debris before it gets slippery. And don’t forget to mulch around your plants – it keeps roots warm and helps retain soil moisture as temperatures drop.
If that sounds like a chore, remember: a bit of effort now saves you hours of work come spring.
7. Use Containers for Instant Colour
If your borders are looking bare, brighten things up with container planting. Pots are great for experimenting with colour, and you can move them around to fill gaps as needed.
Try cyclamen, pansies, or heathers – all hardy and full of colour through the colder months. Add a few small conifers or ornamental grasses for contrast, and you’ve got an instant autumn display.
Conclusion
Autumn doesn’t mean your garden has to fade into the background. With the right mix of plants, hardscaping, and a few clever lighting touches, you can create a space that’s bursting with colour and texture long after summer’s over.
Whether you’re after a simple refresh or a full garden makeover, the team at ALS Landscaping Lincoln can help you design a garden that looks great in every season – and doesn’t need endless maintenance to stay that way.
So, before you settle in for winter, grab a jumper, get out in the garden, and give it a little autumn magic. You’ll be glad you did when you’re looking out the window in January with your cuppa in hand.
FAQs
What are the best low-maintenance plants for autumn colour?
Shrubs like dogwood, euonymus, and viburnum provide strong seasonal colour without much upkeep.
Can I lay new paving in autumn?
Yes – in fact, autumn is a great time for paving projects as the ground is still workable and not yet frozen.
How can I make my garden look colourful without planting new flowers?
Use hardscaping features like paving, decorative gravel, lighting, and evergreen plants to add colour and structure all year round.