The fiery glow of  Sweetspire (Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’) seems to raise the temperate around it by a few degrees, although that’s purely an illusion today! The two main groups of pigments that give autumn leaves their colors are: Carotenoids, which produce yellow, orange, and brown colors; and Anthocyanins, water-soluble substances which are produced when there are high levels of sugars in leaves or fruits under bright light conditions. Bright days and longer cooler nights, with adequate, but not excessive rainfall, are generally considered to be the catalysts for great fall leaf color.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a good, readable explanation of “Why Leaves Change Color” online, for all of us who have never tired of asking “why?” Whatever the color, do heed the good advice on this site and others to rake and compost fallen leaves. They also make an excellent mulch when left in place where they fall. Tiny micro-organisms will put them to good use replenishing the all-important organic content of the soil.

Posted by Ann McCulloh

Fall adds a certain sense of urgency to the air, especially for gardeners. I just managed to get all of my houseplants indoors before they began to droop and sulk. I snipped off the last of the basil, pulled up the pepper plants and put the last green tomatoes under newspapers to ripen under cover. Here at the Garden we are busy moving the exuberant tropical plants – bananas, hibiscus, elephant ears, palms and more, into winter storage. Coming soon: leaf raking, lawn fertilizing, trimming, composting and of course, massive bulb-plantings!

The urgency is heightened by the fleeting magnificence of fall foliage and thrilling, blue skies. Some of the most brilliantly-colored leaves last only moments on the tree, or so it seems. It’s nice to stop in the midst of all the flurry to let the beauty of a perfect combination soak into your soul. Enkianthus (Enkianthus campanulata)  and fall-blooming Anemones (Anemone japonica) are one such combination. The perfect scarlet of the Enkianthus and the clean, gold-crowned white of the petals don’t coincide every year. Sometimes a frost will clip the flowers before the Enkianthus has completely turned to red. In some years, the Enkianthus doesn’t really reach full color. Anticipation is part of the pleasure.

Posted by Ann McCulloh