Experience the Enchanting Autumn Colors of Heronswood Garden’s Perennial Showcase

Discover the stunning fall beauty of Heronswood Garden, featuring vibrant perennials and ornamental grasses, captured through Cherry Ong’s enchanting photography.

Discovering the Enchanting Landscapes

Nestled in Kingston, Washington, Heronswood Garden is a mesmerizing retreat that continues to captivate visitors with its vibrant autumn display—bringing a stunning palette of colors that rivals the lively hues of summer.

Hello, GPOD community!

This week, we’re revisiting the enchanting landscapes of Heronswood Garden, accompanied once again by Cherry Ong.

A few weeks back, I introduced you to Cherry’s impressive photographs, highlighting the serene Bog Garden in Part 1 and the charming areas around the Heron House in Part 2.

But Cherry’s exploration didn’t stop there; she uncovered even more breathtaking spots and has generously shared her finds.

Today, we’ll immerse ourselves in the splendors of the Perennial Garden.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s post, where Cherry will share her adventures with Rizaniño ‘Riz’ Reyes, the Assistant Director of Heronswood.

Autumn’s Vibrant Palette

As autumn unfolds, ornamental grasses take center stage as some of the most enticing perennials for your garden.

This week on GPOD, we’ve showcased a delightful assortment of these grasses adorned in rich shades of red, orange, yellow, and green.

One standout specimen is the dwarf maiden grass, known as Little Miss (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Miss’, Zones 5–9).

Its vibrant red flowers push through the end of October, proudly keeping their color rather than fading into fluffy seed heads.

Cherry also captured a stunning moment featuring volunteer chrysanthemums cultivated from cuttings by Riz Reyes.

Be sure to check out more breathtaking photos of Riz’s remarkable chrysanthemum collection in our next post!

Adding to the garden’s allure is the striking Aconitum, with its captivating clusters of purple flowers.

These brilliant blooms not only synchronize beautifully with the autumn palette but also stand out dramatically in the landscape.

The Beauty of Fall Blooms

The Perennial Garden serves as a dynamic tapestry, exhibiting the magnificent late-season blossoms that are native to the Pacific Northwest, alongside an array of remarkable foliage varieties.

For those longing for lasting color, fuchsia offers a treasure trove of options, with some varieties blooming continuously from spring until the first frost arrives.

Among the garden’s vibrant charm, the leaves of the rough-leaved hydrangea (Hydrangea aspera, Zones 7–9) draw attention, albeit its shiny texture might confuse some.

It’s noteworthy that the revered plantsman Dan Hinkley played an essential role in founding Heronswood in 1987 and remains actively involved.

Thus, this delightful variety might not be commonly found in local nurseries.

While many people tend to visit gardens during their peak blooming times, it is important to recognize and celebrate the distinct beauty that fall presents.

As mentioned earlier, tomorrow we’ll return to Heronswood with Cherry to discover another often-missed aspect of public gardens.

Source: Finegardening