Southern Living Plants Logo
  • About Us
    • History Of The Collection
    • Events
    • Brochure
    • Testimonials
    • Botanical Gardens
    • Why Choose Plants from Southern Living® Plant Collection?
  • The Plants
    • Shrubs
    • Trees
    • Berry Plants & Fruit Trees
    • Annuals and Perennials
    • Groundcovers/Grasses
    • Tropicals
    • Vines
    • New Introductions
  • Where to Buy
    • Find a Retailer
    • Online Retailers
    • Local Landscapers
  • In the Garden
    • Plan Your Garden
    • Inspiration & Projects
    • Planting & Care
  • Connect With Us
    • Like Us
    • Pinterest
    • #SLPlants
    • Youtube
    • Request Newsletter
Menu
  • About Us
    • History Of The Collection
    • Events
    • Brochure
    • Testimonials
    • Botanical Gardens
    • Why Choose Plants from Southern Living® Plant Collection?
  • The Plants
    • Shrubs
    • Trees
    • Berry Plants & Fruit Trees
    • Annuals and Perennials
    • Groundcovers/Grasses
    • Tropicals
    • Vines
    • New Introductions
  • Where to Buy
    • Find a Retailer
    • Online Retailers
    • Local Landscapers
  • In the Garden
    • Plan Your Garden
    • Inspiration & Projects
    • Planting & Care
  • Connect With Us
    • Like Us
    • Pinterest
    • #SLPlants
    • Youtube
    • Request Newsletter
Search
Close
A collage showing a close up on the purple foliage of Purple Pixie Loropetalum & a colorful fall border abutting a sidewalk

Trick or Treat Sidewalk Style

  1. Home
  2. Trick or Treat Sidewalk Style
  • By Carmen Johnston
  • September 1, 2020
Halloween is the perfect excuse to amp up your curb appeal.

While I must admit the project motivation is providing a seasonal backdrop for trick-or-treaters, enhancing my sidewalk beds with fall color is just as much a treat for me.

This color palette works well all season long, creating a festive entrance for costume-covered kiddos and a fun, fall welcome for family and friends on Thanksgiving Day.

How to get this look:

Step 1: 

Work the two bags of purchased soil into the existing soil. I also like to add a bucket of small pine bark mini nuggets to help the soil breathe. This step is important because you are replenishing the soil and creating a happy, healthy home for your plants.

Step 2: 

Before planting, I like to pre-position the plants, allowing me to visualize the look. First, place the Purple Pixie® Loropetalum or (Purple Daydream™ Loropetalum) and Obsession™ Nandina on top of the soil, at least 4 feet apart. Next, dig a hole 1 1/2 times the size of the root ball.

Be careful when planting the Purple Pixie® Loropetalum as its roots are sensitive. Be sure to leave at least 2 inches of the root ball above the ground, as Purple Pixie does not like wet feet!

Obsession Nandina is not quite as sensitive, so it’s OK to loosen its roots before planting. For the nandina, you should leave 1-2 inches of the root ball above the ground. These plants are your foundation plants and will act as the bones for the rest of the display.

Step 3: 

Add contrasting colors. We chose bronze-colored mums, red violas, and kale.  Do not stress about plant placement, simply scatter them throughout the work area and then fill in the holes. I prefer gallon-sized material because it brings instant gratification and doesn’t take as long to fill in.

To ensure your newly-planted bed remains eye-catching, provide plenty of water. To ensure you’re watering adequately, hold the hose over each plant for at least one minute.

To complete your fall-friendly sidewalk, scatter mini pine nuggets around the soil or use pine straw instead.

On special occasions such as Halloween, you may choose to place candles in mason jars and hang them with jute string from shepherd’s hooks. This will let trick-or-treaters know you are open for business!

 

Carmen Johnston

Get garden advice and plant care tips from industry expert, Carmen Johnston. Carmen integrates her first-hand experience with plants in The Southern Living Plant Collection with her vast knowledge of gardening to help readers solve garden problems.
View More Articles

Related Articles

Video: How to Plant a Fall Container Garden

Learn how to plant a fresh and easy fall container garden in this video

Video: How to Host a Halloween Garden Bash

Hosting a Halloween Garden Bash isn't scary! Learn more in this video

Plants Featured In The article

Loropetalum
Purple Pixie Loropetalum planted in a stone stepped wall of a bluff

Purple Pixie® Dwarf Weeping Loropetalum

Loropetalum chinense ‘Peack’ PP18441
Nandina
Red and green layered foliage of Obsession Nandina

Obsession™ Nandina

Nandina domestica ‘Seika’ PP21891

Join the Conversation!

Where To Buy
Southern Living Plants

{find a garden center near you}

Southern Living Plants Logo
Instagram
Facebook-f
Pinterest
Youtube

Plants

  • Annuals and Perennials
  • Berry Plants & Fruit Trees
  • Groundcovers/Grasses
  • Shrubs
  • Trees
  • Tropicals
  • Vines
Menu
  • Annuals and Perennials
  • Berry Plants & Fruit Trees
  • Groundcovers/Grasses
  • Shrubs
  • Trees
  • Tropicals
  • Vines

About Us

  • About Us
  • History Of The Collection
  • Events
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
Menu
  • About Us
  • History Of The Collection
  • Events
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us

PRO Resources

  • Brand Resources
  • Marketing Support
  • Fact Sheets
  • Image Gallery
  • Re-Wholesaler Locator
Menu
  • Brand Resources
  • Marketing Support
  • Fact Sheets
  • Image Gallery
  • Re-Wholesaler Locator
©2020 Southern Living Plant Collection