002 | Autumn Glow: Cozy Gardens and Colorful Foliage

From the Garden

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, October brings a special kind of beauty to the garden. Have you noticed how the foliage glows with rich reds, oranges, and yellows, creating a stunning tapestry of color? It’s the perfect time to celebrate the end of the growing season and embrace the coziness of autumn.

After a day spent planting spring-flowering bulbs, there’s something so rewarding about slowing down and enjoying your garden in its fall splendor. Why not create a cozy spot in your garden pavilion or terrace? Drape blankets over chairs, light some lanterns, and let the warmth of a hot drink in your hand enhance the moment. It’s the ideal setting to take in the magnificent foliage, relax, and savor the season.

In this month’s issue, I’ll share a special garden pavilion design dressed in its autumn best to inspire you. Whether you’re planning a fall gathering or just want a peaceful place to unwind, I hope it sparks ideas for your own space. Let’s embrace the beauty of October together!

Warmly,


Designer’s Corner: Embrace Autumn with a Cozy Garden Pavilion

As the days grow shorter and the air takes on that familiar crispness, we naturally seek out cozy spaces to still enjoy our gardens. A well-designed garden pavilion or sheltered terrace can become your sanctuary, offering a peaceful retreat even in cooler weather. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden building with a wood-burning stove and views into your garden, you're all set for autumn bliss!

Decorating your outdoor space with coziness in mind is the perfect way to embrace the season. With lanterns, soft blankets, and a well-placed seating area, you can create an inviting spot to savor the magnificent colors of fall foliage.

One of my clients had a beautifully decorated home and wanted her outdoor space to reflect the same attention to detail. She envisioned a terrace area and a garden building that could be used all year round, and I was thrilled to be her partner in bringing that vision to life. This project wasn’t just about the planting and terrace; it also involved designing the garden building itself!

Although I’d worked on many landscape and structural designs before, this was my first experience designing a garden pavilion. What made it even more exciting was that it was a break from the popular traditional, ready-made garden buildings at the time. My client wanted something modern, lighter, and more open space, with expansive views into the garden. Grey tones complemented the contemporary style, and this pavilion became a versatile, elegant space that could be enjoyed in every season.

I found inspiration in traditional Japanese architecture, particularly their sliding doors and close connection to nature. While designing, I reimagined this concept for a suburban setting, where the garden pavilion would offer panoramic views of the back border, a nearby field, and a lake in the distance. Each opening of the structure presents a different mood and view, making it a perfect spot to admire the vibrant autumn colors.

After this successful project, I noticed more modern garden pavilions becoming mainstream, but it’s always a thrill to know that this design was one of the early pioneers of that trend. You can see the garden earlier in the season in this post.

So, as you prepare your garden for the cooler months, I encourage you to create your own cozy nook. Whether it’s in a pavilion, on your terrace, or simply in your favorite garden corner, grab a warm blanket, set up some lanterns, and take a moment to enjoy the beauty of autumn. Bring the outdoors in by placing a few colorful twigs on a windowsill, pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, and enjoy the ever-changing foliage.

Furniture, textiles, and decorative items are the client's own or from the interior design firm, Sisustus Närhi. Pots and some of the lanterns from my garden design studio, Puksipuu's shop

Design Tip: Add Fiery Fall Foliage to Your Garden

Autumn is a great time to plan for next year’s fall display. When choosing plants for your garden, always keep color and texture in mind for the fall season. Whether it’s ornamental grasses, perennials that dry beautifully, or shrubs with vibrant fall foliage colors, there are many ways to ensure your garden looks stunning as the season shifts.

Here are a few quick tips to get started:

• Ornamental Grasses: These add texture and movement to the garden while looking fabulous when backlit by the low autumn sun. Check out our previous issue HERE for some grass inspiration!
• Foliage Shrubs and Vines: Shrubs like Aronia and vines like Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) will reward you with vibrant red and orange hues as the temperatures drop.
• Texture & Seedheads: Incorporate plants with interesting leaf textures and seedheads, adding dimension to your fall garden and giving it life even after the flowers have faded.

To make sure you don’t miss out on fall color next year, take a notebook on your next walk around the neighborhood while the foliage is at its peak. Make notes of:

• Trees, Shrubs, and Vines with colors you love.
• Ornamental Grasses with eye-catching textures.
• Seedheads that stand out.

And if you don’t know the names of the plants, take the opportunity to ask your neighbors—gardeners are always happy to share their knowledge. You might even spark a new friendship!

Seasonal Spotlight: Plant Now for a Brilliant Spring

October is the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and get those spring-flowering bulbs in the ground! If you stocked up on bulbs last month, now’s the moment to bring your garden design ideas to life by planting them strategically alongside your existing perennials.

Mind the Gaps—And the Bulbs
When planning where to plant bulbs, think about how they will complement your spring-blooming perennials. Imagine the delightful combinations you can create.

If you’ve already planted bulbs in previous seasons, be sure to note their locations to avoid accidentally digging them up. A great way to track where your bulbs are is by taking photos as a reference for next year. When adding new bulbs, aim to fill in gaps where spring color might be missing or to create sweeping drifts for maximum impact.

Planting Tips for Success
Here are some quick tips for planting spring bulbs:

• Planting Depth: The general rule of thumb is to plant spring-flowering bulbs at a depth three times the height of the bulb. Larger bulbs should go deeper, like daffodils (Narcissus) 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) deep or tulips (Tulipa) 5-6 inches (12-15 cm) deep, while smaller bulbs like crocuses (Crocus) can be planted about 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) deep.
• Spacing: Give bulbs enough room to grow by spacing them 2–4 inches (5-10 cm) apart for smaller varieties like crocuses and dwarf irises (Iris reticulata) and 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) apart for larger ones like tulips or daffodils. Cluster them together in groups for a more natural and abundant look.
• Layering: Consider a technique called “lasagna planting,” where you layer different bulb types at various depths in the same planting area. For example, plant daffodils deeper, then add early-flowering tulips on top, followed by crocuses closer to the surface. This way, you’ll enjoy a succession of blooms in the same spot come spring! This works great in pots, too. Read my reply to Minna’s question about the overwintering of ’lasagna planted’ pots in the September issues’ comment section HERE.

For more detailed planting guidelines for bulbs and information on combining bulbs with perennials, check out my previous blog post on this topic: Can I Plant Bulbs with Perennials?

Learn & Grow: Choose the Perfect Bulbs for Your Soil

Still browsing the bulb sales at your local garden center? While it’s tempting to grab discounted bulbs, making thoughtful decisions will ensure that your spring garden is a true success. It’s not just about finding beautiful blooms; it’s about choosing bulbs that will thrive in your soil and bring you joy for years to come.

That’s why I’ve curated a special plant list: Best Bulbs for Clay & Sandy Soils. Whether you have clay or sandy soil, these plant lists take the guesswork out of bulb shopping, helping you invest in the ones that will flourish in your garden. Say goodbye to bulbs that struggle in the wrong soil, and hello to a garden bursting with life each spring!

With this list, you’ll be equipped to:

• Select bulbs suited to your specific soil type.
• Ensure a healthy, long-lasting bulb display.
• Maximize your investment, even when buying bulbs at a discount.

Why let unsuitable bulbs take up space when you can plant varieties that are destined to thrive in your garden? Make this year’s planting easy, smart, and rewarding!

Grab your copy of Spring Bloom Magic: Best Bulbs for Clay & Sandy Soils today!

 Purchase Your List Here

Join the Conversation: What’s Your Favorite Fall Foliage?

As the leaves begin to change color and our gardens light up with fiery reds, oranges, and yellows, I’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite plant or tree that brings those stunning fall colors to your garden? Is it the glowing hues of a vine, the golden shimmer of ornamental grasses, or perhaps a bold burst of color from shrubs like Aronia?

Join the conversation by sharing your favorite fall foliage in the comments below. Whether you’re planting bulbs, planning for spring, or simply enjoying the beauty of the season, your insights can inspire others!

Feel free to ask any questions about seasonal gardening or suggest future topics you’d like me to cover in The Garden Blueprint. This space is all about community, and I’d love to see more of us connecting, sharing tips, and growing together.

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