Start with autumn foliage
Autumn colour isn’t just about flowers. Some of the best seasonal interest comes from foliage that changes colour as the weather cools.
Maples are an absolute favourite, turning brilliant reds, oranges, and golds before dropping their leaves for winter. Smaller varieties are perfect for courtyards, entrances, and large pots, while larger trees make stunning feature plants.
Other reliable choices include:
Ornamental Pears
Liquid Ambers
Crepe Myrtles
Claret ash
Cercis
Malus
Ginkgo Biloba
These plants add warmth and depth just when many summer performers are slowing down.
Add winter flowering plants
Winter doesn’t have to be colourless. Several hardy plants flower beautifully during the cooler months and are ideal for beds, borders, pots, and hanging baskets.
Our top picks for winter colour include:
Camellias
Hellebores
Violas
Grevilleas
These are easy to use and provide instant colour while other plants are resting.
Keep structure with evergreens and grasses
In winter, structure is everything. Evergreen plants and ornamental grasses help keep your garden looking full and tidy, even after deciduous plants have dropped their leaves.
Popular, reliable options include:
Swamp foxtail grass
Miscanthus
Poa varieties
Matt rush Lomandra varieties like Lomandra Tanika or Frosty Top
Grasses pair beautifully with colourful foliage and flowering plants, helping create a layered and natural-looking garden.
Don’t overlook bark and branches
Some plants look even better once their leaves are gone. Interesting bark, strong branching, and colourful stems become standout features in winter.
Great options include:
Crepe myrtles with patterned bark
Birch trees with pale trunks
Coral bark maples
Dogwoods with coloured stems
These plants add interest even on grey winter days.
Create a layered garden
For the best results, layer these elements together:
Autumn foliage colour
Winter flowers
Evergreen structure
Texture from grasses
Feature bark and branching
This approach keeps your garden evolving through autumn and winter, ready to shine again in spring.
Make autumn and winter your planting season
In the Margaret River region, winter is actually an ideal time to plant. The soil holds moisture, temperatures are cooler, and plants establish more easily. Plants spend less energy coping with heat stress and more energy developing strong root systems.
A well-planned autumn and winter garden sets you up for a healthier, stronger, and more colourful spring.
If you’re not sure what will work best in your space, our team can help you choose the right mix of plants for your garden style, soil, and light conditions.