My garden is slowly moving into autumn. The weather has been unseasonably warm and dry for nearly two months, and it seems that many plants don't want to give up on summer just yet...
This western hackberry is the smart one; late to come out in the spring and early to go dormant in the fall. No snow damage for this one! I love how incredibly pale yellow the leaves will go before they finally let loose and fall. The dark berries are a stark contrast.
 |
| Celtis occidentalis |
|
Sumac are always dependable for fall color, and I have two dwarf varieties: Grow-Low fragrant sumac and dwarf cutleaf sumac. Their foliage textures are different, as are their colors. The Grow-Low will feature intense red to deep burgundy leaves, while the cutleaf tends to lighter yellows, oranges and bright reds. |
Rhus aromatica 'Grow-Low'
|
 |
| Rhus glabra 'Laciniata' |
I have masses of groundcover plumbago that are still in bloom and also starting to sport their orange-red foliage.
 |
| Ceratostigma plumbaginoides |
The color show provided by the autumn purple ash is always a treat. Yellow, bronze, and yes, deep purple, are more sophisticated and subtle than the showy hues of some plants, but warm and welcome nonetheless.
 |
| Fraxinus americana 'Autumn Purple' |
This particular serviceberry lives in the back corner of the dry, prairie garden. It's full of gorgeous red leaves now, while it's pal that's in a wetter location is still wearing bright green.
 |
| Amelanchier canadensis |
Last, but not least, who can resist the colorful garb of engleman ivy? Looking at a wall of this ivy is like looking at an impressionist painting; always one more dab of color to discover!
 |
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia engelmanii |
 |
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia engelmanii |
 |
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia engelmanii |
I'll keep you posted as more plants submit to the lure of dormancy and put on their autumn colors. I hope you're enjoying fall in your garden!
