Bring It Home: Fall Color

 

Thousands of folks visit North Georgia each fall to take in the beauty of the fall foliage. I love to do that myself but you’d be surprised at how seldom that happens, even for retired folks! Poor weather, errands, being sick, volunteering – these all get in the way of a timely visit and then the leaves are gone. That’s why I like to recommend incorporating good fall color plants into designed landscapes so that you bring some of that beauty home.

A photo taken by my friend Sheri; it is a shopping mall parking lot 

As I write this on a crisp fall day, a light wind is blowing leaves all around but plenty remain on the trees: the golden leaves of tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), ash (Fraxinus spp.) and hickory (Carya spp.); reddish leaves of black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) and sumac (Rhus spp.); orange Sassafras and serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.); pink-purple sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) are all consistent in their colors while the red maple (Acer rubrum) varies from tree to tree: yellow, orange, and even brilliant red.

Serviceberry in my yard

Oaks in a parking lot

Among those trees there is still plenty of green; an essential component of appreciating fall color are the occasional pops of green. In addition to the pine trees, many of the oak (Quercus spp.) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia) trees have yet to turn. They provide the later hues of fall colors: deep burgundies and rich honey browns.

As much as you plan for spring blooms, take some time to plan for fall color too and enjoy the change of seasons right from your own window. For ideas on plants to use, see my earlier blog: The Fall Color Compilation.

Maple in my yard

Sourwood on a country road