WE ARE NOW approaching the end of early late summer! In less than a week, September is upon us.
The darkening days with cool nights and heavy dews, all coupled with the collapse of one’s flowers, cause most of us to clean up and begin to dream of next summer. But wait!
First, never forget that on the Peninsula, we have weather like nowhere else, beautifully mild and conducive to many plants. And because of this mild, giving and nurturing climate, autumn (and I dare say winter) is a great time to show one’s floral colors.
So with last week’s article in mind, which listed work for the next several weeks, let me once again extend my annual plea to select and plant a spectacular bush, tree or shrub for a magnificent autumn showing.
A trip this time of year to your favorite nursery is just what the plant doctor ordered as an ideal boost to your mental and creative well-being.
That said, let’s peruse through a dozen breathtaking fall foliage plants.
1. Witch hazel (hamamelis)
This medium sized to somewhat large shrub is perfect for starting of one’s flowering garden each year. This shrub sports spider-like blooms on a zigzag growth pattern as early as February and well into March.
The flowers are scented, and are borne close to the stems before the leaves develop, which gives this plant a very exotic look.
Valued for its brilliant fall leaf color that ranges in spectrum from yellow, orange, amber, red, copper, scarlet and burgundy — this is a must-have item.
2. Birch (betula)
The contrasting white paper bark juxtaposed against the black markings of the tree trunk make this tree a year-round item.
It’s fluttering leaves give motion and flickering shade and sun blotches to the visual scene. But the birch’s late pure gold and bright-yellow fall display puts it on this list. Also try the paper bark birch.
3. Edible cherry (prunus)
On the Peninsula, this tree is a real winner, for not only does it have a spectacular spring showing of awesome blooms, which covers the tree in pastel hues, but these enticing blossoms then mature into delectable fruit.
Then the long, glossy, dark green leaves turn slowly into a dazzling display of fire-ember colors, which glow brightly throughout the neighborhood.
4. Ornamental pear (pyrus)
The decorative pears again have the advantage of an early spring bloom whose flowers give way to a shiny heart-shaped leaf that later becomes an awesome display of fall foliage. It is this fall color along with its ability to adapt well to its conditions, which makes this plant a highly sought after “street tree.”
5. Flowering crabapple (malus)
The flowering crabapple is the quintessential spring-blooming tree, covering itself in bloom. But many varieties not only have a purple or reddish summer leaf color, but coat themselves in a bright fall show, along with colorful fruit that feeds wildlife in late fall and early winter.
6. Tree peony (paenoia)
Yes, tree peonies have great fall leaf color, and that huge early summer flower is unbeatable along with its pubescent, paper bark display in winter and that alien-eyelash appearance of new leaves in early spring.
7. Sumac (rhus)
Few shrubs can beat sumac for its intense red, yellow, orange, gold leaf color, but it’s velvet covered stems, spring flowers and wonderful staghorn terminal tip make this compound-leaf plant a unique introduction into your garden.
8. Barberry (berberis)
The thorny spikes give this shrub a great winter texture and make a perfect addition to a rock garden. Red-leaved varieties, especially “Crimson pygmy,” offer very rich red summer leaves that turn a fire engine red so bright that they burn your retinas in the fall.
9. Smoke tree
Many varieties sport red or burgundy foliage with lovely smoke adrift in the leaves (flowers) for late summer. Then this bush goes brilliant in the fall as its leaves play into a yellow, orange or bright red display.
10. Japanese maples (acers)
These plants have it all — great structural shape, interesting leaf patterns, colorful summer foliage and intense fall foliage. Available in a variety of sizes and colors and shapes, add a Japanese maple to your yard each and every year.
11. Viburnum
This large group of plants is known for their flowers, colored berries, bird feeding capability, often fragrant selected varieties, which sport magnificent fall color.
Noted varieties for fall would be “Mohawk,” dentatum and v.opulus.
12. Cryptomeria.
This is a very graceful conifer that is soft and rubbery in feel, but it’s real prize is it’s ever changing appearance. If you buy “Elegans,” the foliage turns throughout the year from lime-yellow green in spring to a rich coppery red or purple by the end of fall and all of winter. Please try this unusual plant.
And of course … stay well all!
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Andrew May is a freelance writer and ornamental horticulturist who dreams of having Clallam and Jefferson counties nationally recognized as “Flower Peninsula USA.” Send him questions c/o Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362, or email news@peninsuladailynews.com (subject line: Andrew May).
