By mid-October, Seattle feels ready for Halloween. The sun sets earlier, fog rolls through in the morning and the steady rain keeps everything damp and moody. Add a few Halloween decorations and your yard can be halfway to spooky.
Choosing the right plants for the season can help take your yard the rest of the way. The ones that look Halloween-ready tend to have a few things in common: deep purple or almost black foliage and unusual shapes and textures. Many of them can also handle our cool, wet fall, so they keep looking good long after the trick-or-treaters go home.
Here are five of our favorite plants to bring a Halloween look to your garden:
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Witch hazel has a unique, almost spidery look. It has thin, yellow petals that look a bit like spider legs, which makes it a natural fit for the season. It also thrives in Pacific Northwest gardens and flowers while other plants are winding down.
Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens')
Black mondo grass has nearly black foliage that makes a big contrast next to lighter plants. Lining them along a path can make your entryway feel especially spooky for trick-or-treaters. They stay evergreen through our winters, so the dark look lasts well past Halloween.
Weeping Alaskan Cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis 'Pendula')
This native tree has long, drooping branches that look ghostly when fog rolls in, especially if paired with decorations and gauzy fabric. It adds structure to a yard and stays green all year.
If you want to learn more about how native trees and shrubs support habitat in home yards, you can check out this WSU Extension’s guide.
Hellebores (Helleborus)
Hellebores come in many different colors. Adding dark purple varieties can help bring a dark, mysterious look to your yard.
Black Lace Elderberry (Sambucus nigra 'Eva')
This shrub has dark purple leaves that look like something straight out of a witch’s garden. It adds height and structure to garden beds.
Planting Your Halloween Garden in Seattle
Fall is one of the best times to plant in the Pacific Northwest. Cooler temperatures and steady rain give new plants the moisture they need to settle in, so their roots can establish before winter.
Whether you’re planning a few spooky accents with Halloween plants or a full seasonal color refresh, we can help you find the right plants for your space.
Contact us to get your garden ready for the season.