Autumn Signals Shift in Garden Care
Washington's native landscape offers a vivid display of golds, oranges, and reds as deciduous plants prepare for dormancy. Incorporating these plants into a landscape creates year-round interest, moving beyond a reliance solely on evergreen varieties. Beyond the visual appeal, the seasonal drop of leaves provides a protective layer for soil beds. As this foliage decomposes through the winter, it returns essential nutrients to the earth.
Watering Habits and Autumn Color
The transition into fall often prompts questions regarding the lack of vibrant hues in residential yards compared to wild landscapes. While hiking trails along Highway 2 toward Stevens Pass reveals brilliant fall foliage, local gardens frequently fade to brown or pale yellow tones. This discrepancy is almost exclusively linked to irrigation practices.
Gardeners utilizing irrigation systems frequently apply too much water during September and early October. Although dry summers necessitate watering, the volume and duration are often excessive. Newly planted vegetation and those on hot, sloped terrain require hydration, but established plants need far less. Soil moisture levels should be monitored; water should only be applied if the ground is dry to a depth of three to four inches. Continuing to saturate the soil into the fall prevents plants from hardening off and developing their seasonal coloration.
Vine Maple and Irrigation Management
A specific example of this phenomenon involves the Vine Maple (Acer circinatum). While these trees create a brilliant display on the slopes of the Cascade Mountains, specimens in urban environments often lack coloration. To encourage the natural seasonal transition, irrigation systems should be deactivated or significantly reduced. This allows the environment to dictate the water cycle as winter approaches.
Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbagoides) is a lovely ground hugger that is blooming cobalt blue this month AND sporting glowing red leaves at the same time. Perennial ornamental grasses are close to full plume, with blades aglow and feathery plumes emerging. One perfect fall perennial to me is Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbagoides), a lovely ground hugger that is blooming cobalt blue this month AND sporting glowing red leaves at the same time. Perennials can add late bloom (Agastache, Echinacea, Aster and many more) and then also display copious amounts of seeds (Gaillardia, Knautia, Rudbeckia and many more) for birds to snack on.
I know many people are like me and not only love watching birds forage about in fall, but also like the added visual interest of ornamental berries on plants. There are some lovely options out there that scream fall, like Chokecherries (Aronia sp.), Cotoneaster, Floral Berry (Hypericum), Beauty Berry (Callicarpa) and many more. I must highlight one tree, the Crabapple (Malus sp.), and NOT the old disease ridden ones from 30 years ago, suckers and all. Modern crabapples like Royal Raindrops, Golden Raindrops, Ivory Spear, Raspberry Spear, Ruby Dayze and others are not only disease-free and sucker proof, but they also glow with both fall color and quarter-inch fruits for birds think little Christmas lights dangling. Speaking of Christmas lights, maybe one more tree then, the Korean Dogwood (Cornus kousa) which not only deepens to a burgundy red in fall, but also shows off bright red strawberry-like fruits for additional autumn interest. Well after all that, I get to finally focus on deciduous plants that are all about fall color. Below are a few of the best not the only ones, but I am running out of room. I would encourage you to explore cultivar options with any of these trees and shrubs as all of them are simply stunning in the fall!
The Pacific Northwest has entered autumn, and the region's foliage is shifting toward its seasonal display. The natural world is now producing a range of yellow, orange, and red tones across local gardens. Garden centers in the area are currently stocking plants that showcase this type of seasonal coloration. A complete landscape design incorporates a variety of plant types, including deciduous shrubs and trees alongside evergreen and perennial species.
A free presentation covering fall foliage and plants that bloom during winter is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, at 10 AM at the nursery. Seasonal color is currently visible in both cultivated gardens and native plant habitats.