Where does fall color come from?

The color and amount of color each plant achieves during the fall season is determined by the day length, temperature, and moisture. As the length of the days decrease, the amount of green pigment (chlorophyll) produced decreases and eventually stops. As the green pigment disappears, all that we see is the other plant pigments that remain: red, yellow, and a mixture of both to produce a wide array of oranges.

Yellow color is produced by the pigment that produces sugars for chlorophyll. Red fall color is produced by another pigment that is affected by acidity. The more acidic the tree for example, the redder the fall color will be. As we get closer to winter, the green pigment is released completely from the leaf leaving the red and yellow colors trapped inside the leaf. This gives us a beautiful display of harvest colors that will last until the trees finally lose their leaves. Color and intensity will change from year to year depending on the weather and the amount of moisture trees receive. Therefore, each plant acts as an individual in the fall.

Planting for Fall Color

When autumn comes some people are already thinking about next season and putting this year's gardens to bed. If you have planned ahead, your garden can still be going strong when others are done blooming. Most can't resist at least one of those gorgeous mums that are beckoning to us --but there are many other perennials that can lengthen the blooming season

A couple favorite late-bloomers are two of the sedums 'Autumn Joy' and 'Brilliant.' These are not the low-growing groundcovers you may be accustomed to, but can grow from 12 to 24 inches high. They aren't invasive but stay in a compact clump. Autumn Joy has large, flat blossoms that start light pink and darken all season. Brilliant has bright hot pink flowers that last well in cut flower arrangements. Both are very popular with bees and butterflies.

Goldenrod is very popular in Europe , but hasn't caught on here. It's a shame because it is very hardy, drys well, and is drought resistant. Maybe it's the myth that it causes hay fever (it's really the ragweed!) that has kept gardeners here from growing it.

If you have a large perennial bed try a native North American plant called "Joe Pye Weed." At 4 to 6 feet tall, Eupatorium makes an imposing statement in the fall garden. It has rosy pink flowers and is a good choice for a dry area of your garden. Another 6 foot tall autumn perennial is helianthus or perennial sunflower. Don't expect it to look like the annual sunflower--instead of one stem with a large flower head they have many branches with smaller bright yellow blossoms.

A "Perennial of the Year" last year, Russian Sage (Perovskia) has such a long flowering season that it is usually going strong well into the fall. It has silvery gray foliage and blooms with an airy quality reminiscent of baby's breath. It is rated hardy to zone 5 and with mulch it should come through our winters with flying colors.

Physostegia or obedient plant is another late summer bloomer. The variegated type adds interest to the border even when not in bloom.

Asters are an easy to grow perennial that blooms well into October. The daisy-like flowers range in color from purples and lavenders all the way to roses and pinks. They are a good back of the border flower because they have a tendency to sprawl, and will usually grow to about 3 to 4 ft tall. Like mums they benefit from division at least every other year. Cut off the healthy outside shoots and replant them, then discard the woody center.

Catmint (Nepeta) is a spring perennial that gives a repeat performance in the fall. To make it bloom again, shear all the spent blossoms off when it first finishes. There are several varieties; all have a distinctive fragrance and are relatives of the smellier catnip.

I love bergenia for the brilliant red color its large fleshy leaves turn in autumn. Visitors in the fall usually notice its vivid red color before anything else in the garden. It's a good groundcover for almost any area--even a dry shady one. The only pest it has is slugs, who love to come out at night and chew a few holes right in the middle of each leaf!

Perennials – There are several perennials that provide outstanding fall color. Perennials can be a great alternative to annuals for height and texture in the garden as well as in containers. If planted in containers, you can over winter the perennials by planting them in the ground a few weeks before frost. Grasses, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea), Sedums, Russian Sage, Joe Pye Weed, Asters, and Blanket Flower are a few examples of perennials that can add character to your containers and gardens.   

 Grasses are unfairly grouped into plants that are thought of as high maintenance. Some grasses provide visual impact year round. Ornamental grasses provide great texture, color and height in the landscape. Many of the grasses provide excellent fall color. For example, Feather Reed Grass (Karl Forester) has an excellent upright clump form and wheat colored plumes in fall. Like most grasses, it combines well with perennials and looks great en masse. Grass makes a great backdrop and provides texture contrast. Two other great grasses that can be used for fall color are Flame Grass ( Orange fall color) and Moor Grass ( Yellow fall color).

 Shrubs for Fall Color

Barberry (Numerous varieties) 3'-5' x 3'-5'
Rounded plant with arching branches develops outstanding fall color. Ideal shrub accent plant. Available from brilliant yellow to wine red.

Amur Maple 7’-8' x 7'-8'
finely branched compact rounded form of Maple for borders, hedges or foundation planting. Great orange/red fall color.

Amelanchier ( Serviceberry) 4'-20'
All are native suitable for foundation, border planting or as a specimen. Fluffy white flowers produce delicious sweet dark fruit. Excellent yellow, orange to red fall color even in shade.

Aronia (Glossy Black Chokeberry) 4'-6' x 4'-6'
An excellent landscape shrub; compact and rounded, white flowers followed by persist ant black fruit with brilliant fall color. Very hardy!

 Azalea – 3 – 5’  Large clusters of spring flowers. Some turn red in the fall

 Clethra (Summersweet) – 3 – 7’ Flower spikes July through August.  Fragrant – hummingbirds love this plant.  Fall yellow.

Cornus (Dogwood) – 5 – 17’ – Over 20 varieties. Fall foliage from yellow to red.  Several varieties have red bark in the winter – lovely accent or for cutting.

 Cotinus (Smoketree) – 10’ Several varieties available.  Fall foliage from yellow to orange to red. 

Euonymous (Burning Bush) 10'-12' x 6'-8' Considered one of the finest landscaping plants.  Large rounded shrub for borders and screens. Brilliant red fall color with corky bark for winter interest. Dwarf form also available (5' x 5'-6'). 

Hamamelis (Witch Hazel)  10 - 15' Fragrant yellow flowers in late Sept/October. Does well in sun or shade.  Fall yellow foliage.

Hibiscus (Rose of Sharon) 5'-6' x 5'
Showy Landscape shrub with white, pink, red, or blue flowers . Fall yellow.  

Hydrangea (Pee Gee) 5'-6' x 5'
Showy Landscape shrub with white panicle shaped flowers which turn pink as the weather cools. Flowers up until first frost.

 Hydrangea (Alice Oakleaf) 5'- 8'
Showy Landscape shrub with large flower mounds which turn pink as the weather cools. Flowers up until first frost. Beautiful red color in fall.

 Syringa - Lilac (Dwarf)  4 – 5’ Dense shrub turning burgundy in the fall.

Rhododendron (P.J.M.) 5' x 5'
Brilliant lavender flowers in spring with a dark mahogany fall color.

Rhus (Sumac)
Gro-Low (2' x 6'); Smooth (10' x 10'); Cutleaf Smooth (8' x 6')
All sumacs display beautiful red fall color.

Spirea (Goldflame & Birchleaf) 3'-4' x 3'
Wonderful all season long plant with year round interest. Bright pink or white flowers, golden summer foliage and crimson fall color.

Viburnums (Cranberry)
Mohican (6' x 6'): purple/bronze fall color
Northern Burgundy (10'-12' x 10'-12'): deep red fall color
Onandoga (6'-8' x 6'-8'): red fall color
Compact (4' x 4'): scarlet fall color
Viburnums enjoy sun or shade and moist soils ideal for screens or foundation plantings.

Trees for Fall Color

Red Maples (Acer rubrum):
Small red flowers in spring followed by dark green leaves which turn and excellent red in the fall. Varieties - Autumn Radiance Red Maple (H 30-40' x W 40'), Autumn Spire Red Maple (H 50' x W 20-25'), Red Sunset Maple (H 50' x W 30-40'), Northwood Red Maple (H 50' x W 35').

Sugar Maples (Acer saccharum):
Yellow flowers in spring followed by medium sized green leaves. Sugar maples can get a range of fall color, from yellow to red, depending on sun and moisture of the area. Varieties - Green Mountain Sugar Maple (H 50-75' x W 35-40'), Legacy Maple (H 50-60' x W 35'),

Norway Maples (Acer platanoides):
Dense rounded maple which has yellow flowers in spring and a golden yellow color in the fall. Varieties -  Norway Maple (H 50' x W 15-20'), Crimson King Maple (H 35-40' x W 35'), Deborah Norway Maple (H 40-60' x W 40-60'), Emerald Maple (H 50-60' x W 50-60'), Princeton Gold  Maple (H 45' x W 40'), Royal Red Maple (H 35-40' x W 25'), Variegated Maple (H 50-60' x W 40-50').

Betula (Birch):
River Birch are great for moist areas, has beautiful exfoliating bark, and a bright gold fall color.

Cornus (Pagoda Dogwood):
A great ornamental tree with flowers in spring, berries in fall that persist through winter, and a reddish purple fall color.

Fraxinus (Ash):
A very tough plant, tolerant of many soil conditions. Great for shade with bright green leaves which turn bright yellow in the fall.

Gleditsia (Honeylocust):
Lacy foliage which casts light shade and turns a medium yellow in the fall.

Quercus (Oak):
Pin Oak: A pyramidal shaped crown which has a yellow to copper red color. Leaves may persist on the branches through winter rather than fall off completely.
Red Oak: Very large shade tree which has a red fall color.

Tilia ( Linden ):
Bright green heart shaped leaves turn yellow in the fall. Great tree for boulevards and for shade.

But it's not just trees that bring great autumn color. So do vines and shrubs. Parthenocissus cinquefolia better known either as five-leafed ivy or Virginia creeper turns a vibrant, clear red. Cascading over a rocky bank or climbing into an evergreen the vine in full color is dramatic. The rhus (sumac) genus offers a number of species that offer clear, bright autumn color, usually reds but sometimes bronzes or purples.. Ferns, and grasses, although not as vibrant can complement the saturated colors quite nicely with tans, and pale yellows. And evergreens are a necessity for balance and contrast.

Annuals for Fall Color

Do your containers or flowerbeds need a face lift for fall? Nature abounds with rich hues of orange, red, purple, and gold as we enter into autumn. Compliment the nature around you and replace those worn out summer annuals with the bright faces of fall. There are several different annuals available to help you create a display that reflects your personal style.

Pansies – 6 to 8” plants that have large faces and love the cool weather of fall. Yellow w/ brown, Yellow, White w/ Blue, White, Burgundy , Purple, Bronze, Orange

Flowering Kale – Waxy, round or ruffled leafs in showy round heads that get 12 to 18” tall and 15 to 18” wide. Gray- green or rose w/ green.
 
Indian Summer Rudbeckia – An annual version of the popular perennial Black-eyed Susan. Large flower heads, green fuzzy foliage.
 
Garden Mums – An old favorite with many improved cultivars. Available in white, yellow, orange, red, pink or purple. Decorative and daisy type flowers. To improve chances of winter survival, plant with Root Stimulator, place in well-drained soil, and mulch well.
 
Island Asters – Dwarf asters about 8” tall with 1” daisy type flowers. Available in purple, lilac, or pink with yellow centers. Prefers a well-drained soil, but needs to be kept moist.

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Plants for Fall Fruit                                                                                                                                                      

Plants for Fall Flowers

An Autumn Pathway—Designing for Fabulous Fall Color

 Flowers are secondary to foliage now. Plant leaves, stripped of their veil of green chlorophyll, reveal other striking pigmentation underneath—yellows, reds, browns, and purples. In the design below are plants that exemplify the season and speak to me of autumn. Besides focusing on fall foliage, I've also included plants with strong architectural features or persistent seed heads that will carry a garden through to winter and beyond.

ANOTHER DESIGN OPTION