The weather has been so pristine and sparkling that I was beyond inspired to start creating fall decor vignettes as soon as I returned from Texas. Each one prompted another in a happy frenzy of foraging and cutting from the garden, the trees, the neighbors, even a roadside stop. And once I was finished I realized I had more content than even I had expected, so…this year we’ll have two fall blogs, starting with the exterior of Parterre, at the front door (feature image above).

All my favorite shades of fall color abound in the chosen plants…the russet tones of the Japanese maple branches, the warm umber of the mums, the buckskin pumpkins, with pops of the crispy red coleus snipped from the large mounds of them in the Fountain Garden containers (of course, Miss Clicquot can never resist a photo opp).

With gingko leaves, carefully gathered from branches (and the ground), scattered along the limestone steps as a special touch for visiting guests.

And at just the right time in the late afternoon, on a sunny day, the rays come through the front lawn beech trees to accent the front door scene.

A part of our front door area that doesn’t usually get much attention is the Juliet balcony outside a second floor guest room, under which we added a niche, just perfect for a bronze putt (a bit tongue in cheek). But come the fall, he gets all dressed up with branches of gingko leaves and a funky gourd.

The pair of front courtyard stone urns always present opportunities throughout the year. For fall 2021, I chose one of the yummy buckskin colored pumpkins, happily decorated with variegated ivy, maple leaves, and a dollop of bittersweet berries.

In the back courtyard, the side door (into the mud room) is always “cozied” up with 6 pots of domed boxwoods, centered with my favorite new purchase…a miniature gingko standard, ‘Merika.’ Watching those yummy gingko leaves turn their signature shade of yellow over a two week period in the fall is such a treat as I drive in and out.

Before I close, and since this is a blog about fall decorating outdoors, I cannot miss sharing this wonderful scene from Tyler, Texas…the Parterre Bench as the centerpiece for a party in Laura Waits’ garden. Don’t you love the elaborate magnolia leaf tails dressing up the metal peacocks! This lucky Parterre Bench served as the throne for beautiful Hannah Waits, Queen of the Texas Rose Festival in 2019.

Which is why the two peacocks are holding a luscious rose garland in their beaks. What a party! What a festival!