Halloween props | 5 planting ideas for your garden

In recent years I have noticed that more people are adding Halloween props in their front gardens, spider webs and broomsticks for example.

So I thought it would be fun to suggest some plants that could be added to the garden as more Halloween props to add to the spooky, witchy atmosphere for Halloween parties.

I have chosen five plants which will lend themselves to the Halloween party theme, but which do have a longer life than just one afternoon and evening; so even if you’re not arranging a party you may find a good planting suggestion for your garden!

Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘nigrescens’

This Ophiopogon is commonly known as black grass – and, delightfully as it does look like it, black spider grass. Other names are black lily turf, black dragon grass and black mondo grass.

However black spider grass is not a grass but a member of the lily family. A native of Japan, this low growing perennial is good in shade and part shade; indeed, the leaves may turn more brown than black in full sunlight.

It would look good planted in containers so it can overhang the edges in a creeping spider like way….

Heuchera ‘obsidian’

There are a few dark leaved Heuchera, for example, Heuchera ‘black beauty’ and Heuchera ‘dark storm’ are both rich dark purple-black. But my favourite for a black leaved plant has to be Heuchera ‘obsidian’. Obsidian is a volcanic glass formed after a volcanic eruption – a bit of demonic fire to add to your Halloween mix?

This really is a black Heuchera – Heuchera ‘obsidian’ is a glossy leaved evergreen and the foliage would shine in the flickering candle light of a pumpkin faced ‘jack – lantern’ in your porch or along the path to your front door.

Heuchera ‘obsidian’ is another shade loving plant that shows its best colours when not subject to full sun.

Cornus alba ‘elegantissima’

Red barked dogwoods are grown for their ornamental winter stems.

Planting blood red stemmed Cornus ‘elegantissima’ with Heuchera ‘obsidian’ would give you a stunning combination even after your need for Halloween props is over. Under planting with white tulips would give a very chic look to late spring, after the cornus has been pruned.

Rhus tymphina

A furry stemmed tree with finger like orange/red leaves also known as Rhus hirta and Stag horn sumach. Named for its furry stems and branches reminiscent of a stags antler, the sumach blazes with orange and red foliage in the autumn. Although, be warned, those soft stems can cause a skin irritation.

For Halloween, the stag horn sumach adds a textural oddity. You could blindfold children (or adults!) and use a Rhus branch as part of the scary ‘guess what this is’ game along with jelly (‘eyeballs’).

Rhus is known for its many suckers; new shrubs that sprout up from roots sent out by the parent just below the soil surface. Removing these is simple to do, but if you feel it’s an issues, Rhus tymphina can be grown in a large pot.

Rowan – Sorbus acuparia

Rowan – the Witching Tree; Sorbus acuparia, Sorbus domestica, the Quicken Tree.

Although arguably the legend of the Rowan tree as a witching tree came about with the ‘druid movement’ in the nineteenth century, I think it makes an excellent addition to our Halloween props.

Tradition has it that Rowan branches hanging over a door or window will keep away witches, ghosts and demons from your house. Planting a Rowan in the garden will also protect you from evil spirits. Hanging cut-outs of witches and ghosts to hang form the branches as if trapped by the magical tree would be fun.

On a more practical note, post Halloween the Rowan berries will provide food for birds and also for you – although cook the berries first as otherwise they are bitter. Use the berries in pies, or make jams and homemade wine.

And there you have five planting suggestions to add to your Halloween props! I have only included plants which are around in late October, as otherwise it would be a bit pointless.
However, there are some ‘ghostly’ plants that you could add to your garden earlier in the year. The silvery ornamental thistles Eryngium giganteum ‘Miss Willmott’s ghost’ and Eryngium giganteum ‘silver ghost’ might still be impressive, although they would have seed heads rather than flowers by Halloween.

And there is ghost grass – Stipa tenuissima. A bit of a cheat maybe, as its more usually known as feather grass or pony tails, but Stipa tenuissima with the sunlight streaming through it as it sways in a soft autumn breeze is just so otherworldly and gorgeous that I had to include it.

For further gardening advice and inspiration, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below and our monthly Tipsheet – You could come and find us on Instagram Pinterest and Facebook too.

If you would like help with learning more about your garden and gardening, why not ask about our bespoke Gardening Lessons, where your classroom is actually your own garden. We can help you learn gardening basics, and also show you how to plan an ornamental border or kitchen garden