Select fall color plants now

Chilly fall weather is here, and though we may still have a few hot spells, days are distinctly shorter and night temperatures brisk. Soil temperatures, however, will remain warm for another month or so, which makes fall the ideal time to plant many things.

Among the best plants to choose now, while you can select especially brilliant individuals, are the deciduous trees and shrubs that color dramatically in the autumn. For sheer drama in the garden, when most flowering plants are beginning to lag, think fall color. An added incentive: Many nurseries sharply discount deciduous plant material this time of year, so watch for terrific bargains.

In Mediterranean climates like we have here in Santa Cruz, finding trees that provide good fall color can be a challenge. However, there are a few that reliably color well each year, regardless of the weather.

For gold leaves, plant Ginkgo biloba (maidenhair tree), Gleditsia triancanthos (honey locust), Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud), and some Acer palmatum (Japanese maples) - look at individual trees now to determine color potential. For red and orange leaves, try Parrotia persica (Persian parrotia), Cornus florida (eastern dogwood), Lagerstroemia indica (crape myrtle), Liquidamber styraciflua (sweet gum), Pistacia chinensis (Chinese pistache), Diospyros kaki (Oriental persimmon), Acer rubrum 'October Glory' (red maple) and certain Acer palmatum (Japanese maple) -- again, choose individuals that have good color this year for an indication of what you may expect in future autumns. Nyssa sylvatica (sour gum) or Tupelo is especially lovely; its vivid glossy red leaves provide a dramatic focal point. For burgundy or purple, try Liquidamber styraciflua 'Rotundiloba' or 'Burgundy.'

In my own garden a mile from the coast, where winters are typically mild, Oxydendrum arboreum (sorrel tree) is especially brilliant each fall. The autumn leaves are burnished red with peachy overtones. This lovely small tree is uncommon here and is unfortunately not drought tolerant, so may be difficult to find locally. I grow it in a large container in rich potting soil so that drip irrigation keeps it happy.

My most reliably coloring Japanese maple is Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen,' which each autumn turns vivid red; it looks like stained glass when it is backlit by the sun. Another excellent fall-coloring maple in our climate is A. japonicum 'Aconitifolium' with its deeply incised frilly leaves of rich crimson. Most Japanese maples can be readily grown in containers so that they can be moved into a prominent spot when they are at their most vivid.

Many shrubs also give dramatic fall color. Euonymous alata burning bush will knock your socks off with its brilliant red foliage and vivid orange berries, though some years it doesn't perform well here. Berberis thunbergii (Japanese barberry) turns bright glowing red-orange also. Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea) turns a deep, dramatic burgundy. The deciduous Vaccinium corymbosum (blueberry) will give you luscious fruit and wonderful fall colors in reds, golds, oranges and yellows.

If your garden needs that indefinable "something" this time of year, remember that foliage can be every bit as dramatic as flowers -- look around town for color that inspires you and plant forms that will complement your garden.

-Sharon Hull

Note: In response to last week's column on fall color, local reader Audrey wrote, "As I sit looking out under a 'golden umbrella' of N.E. birch trees, as well as the brilliant carpet of graceful yellow leaves beneath, I can't help but wonder that you never mentioned this delightful tree of such beauty. The light shining through the leaves fills the room with reflected sunshine, an attribute much appreciated with the retreating hours of daylight! How about giving this lovely and graceful resident its due? Well said, Audrey, and I'll add the tree to my list of excellent picks for autumn color