Autumn Color in California

We can't claim to rival New England or the Rockies for autumn color, but we have our moments. Of course, color is best in USDA Zones 8 and lower -- especially in years when we have an early cold spell. Be sure to select these deciduous trees while the leaves are showing autumn color, which varies with individual trees.

Big garden spiders are found everywhere in the autumn. Be careful when you're walking through shrub beds. If you're looking down and raking the ground, you just might find one of these and the web in your face.

Chinese Pistache is becoming more and more popular in our landscapes. It has a moderate rate of growth and is not particular as to water. It is drought tolerant but grows well in lawns too. It turns red and orange and even yellow in the fall.

California Sycamore turns yellow (and brown) in the fall. But interest is not only in the foliage. The seed clusters last through the winter. It's a native that grows along streams all over California.

Black Walnut is another California native. Juglands hindsii is a 30 to 60 foot tree and is native to Northern California. Juglands californica is more shrub-line, growing 15 to 30 feet, and is native to Southern California. These trees turn an intense yellow in the fall.

Pyrus calleryana is a deciduous tree that comes in many varieties, Bradford Pear being the most planted. The varieties have different shapes and fall color, which varies from yellow to orange to red. As with all trees desired for fall color, buy the plant in the fall.

Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum) is our most popular tree for fall color. Select from many varieties with red, orange and/or yellow autumn leaves. It has an upright form and is often used as a street tree.

Morus alba (Fruitless Mulberry) is a large, fast growing tree that is best suited to large properties. Many people cut back the branches every year, a technique caled pollarding. The leaves are bright yellow in autumn.

Ginko biloba (Maidenhair Tree) is an ancient tree related to the conifers, but it has a broad, fan-shaped leaf. It's a slow growing tree that usually tops out at 35 to 50 feet. Only male trees are planted because the fruit is abundant and smelly. Autumn color is a golden yellow.

Salix babylonica is the Corkscrew Willow. The stems are twisted, and so are the leaves, which turn bright yellow in the fall. The stems are interesting even without leaves -- in the winter.

Wisteria is a woody vine that is planted for its pendulous, violet flower clusters that bloom in the spring. The leaves turn a golden yellow in the fall.

Parthenocissus...   Boston Ivy and Virginia Creeper are clinging vines that turn an intense red in autumn. They make a very nice cover for a block wall.

© 1997 by Jim Clatfelter.       Go to Garden California Home Page

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