CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- Autumn is on its way, and Northeast Ohioans are looking to give their gardens that new “fall look.”

But which plants should they choose?

Jesse Smith, a conservation biologist at Native Landscapes and Gardens in Chagrin Falls, suggests that homeowners can get that fall color palette they’re chasing and support local ecosystems at the same time.

His top picks include a diverse range of trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses. Each have been selected for their brilliant fall display and environmental value.

Trees and shrubs

Black gum ( Nyssa sylvatica ) is a mid-sized deciduous tree that’s very versatile. It likes full sun to shade and wet to dry soil. Its glossy oval leaves are some of the first to turn red in the fall, and its dark blue fruit is a bird buffet.

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