Crotons: A Blaze of Color for Fall

One of my favorite fall plants here in Mississippi, is the Croton (Codiaeum variegatum). It is a perfect "filler" plant to replace my long-faded and bedraggled summer flowers until I can plant pansies and snapdragons in late fall. Its dazzling gold, orange, and red glossy variegated leaves are sure to add a blaze of color wherever you plant it. I recently planted these two Crotons in a flower bed in our courtyard, where even on rainy days (like today), their spectacular colors seem to add a touch of sunshine outside our windows. They also do well in planters and urns ... Crotons prefer bright light, and the sun really brings out the colors. They do well in the cooler fall temperatures here in Mississippi, but won't tolerate a freeze unless protected. If crotons are hardy where you live, I think you would enjoy their beautiful display of fall colors, at least until Thanksgiving.