Slow fall color

We've had a warm autumn, with no killing frost yet. That means our fall color is coming on very slowly with the greatest part of the garden still sporting green leaves on most plants and trees. Some plants, like this foxglove, decided to rebloom. 

My oldest Tricyrtis hirta finally opened. Many years it gets frosted before it can bloom. 

Bowman's root (Gillenia trifoliata) and Japanese blood grass are showing the merest hint of color. 

Same with the Stewartia.

Cerecis canandensis 'Forest Pansy' has been leading the way.

Spring and fall, the foliage on this tree is noteworthy. 

The real color at the moment is centered on the maples. Our big Sugar Maple was supposed to come down last year but got rescheduled for this winter, so I've been documenting its color. Most of the maples out front turn red, while the Sugar Maple turns a beautiful gold, providing a nice foil for the other maples. 

I love watching Acer triflorum, the three-flowered Maple, turn color. I am out there daily checking on its progress. It's just visible on the left in the photo above.

Tues. Oct. 19

Fri. Oct. 22

I took this shot of the Sugar Maple from inside (through the window screen!) trying to show how tall Acer mandschuricum (Mancurian Maple) below it has grown. It's wending its way deep into the branches of the dying Sugar Maple. 

These understory Maples all have beautifully layered structures. 

Look at that straight trunk. The trick will be to take out the big Maple without harming the one beneath it. 

Acer tschonoskii ssp. koreanum is just across the path from the Manchurian Maple. It has usually lost its golden leaves by the time its neighbor turns red.

Now I'm waiting to see if the Ginkgoes turn color before they lose their leaves, as has happened the last couple of years.  

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Beautiful! Your maples, and the cerecis too, are just stunning. Such rich color to herald in winter (and snow!). I can't complain about living in SoCal (after all, three-quarters of the world seems to want to move here), but so diappointed to discover that cerecis would not do well, not to mention martagons. And of course, we do not get such beautiful color either. What do they say? Love the one you're with? Your garden is a delight, and always a pleasure to visit. Thank you for sharing it.

[Linda Brazill]

ELIZABETH — Ah, if only gardeners could just "love the one you're with." I am always lusting after plants that only grow on the West Coast. I drool at all the things I see up and down the coast. I love my garden but it doesn't keep me from wanting what I can't grow!​

[Kris P]

I love seeing fall foliage color! Your Cercis and maples are remarkable. Someday, I hope to make an autumn pilgrimage to a part of the country that has lots of it. There's little of that here, although one of my Japanese maple has turned. Unfortunately, the leaves on my "new" Ginkgo are more brown than golden.

[Beth@PlantPostings]

Yes, it's been a strange transition. So warm until recently, and suddenly cooler. I love your maples! Our oaks in the backyard are just starting to color and drop leaves. And I agree about the redbuds. We have one, and it's one of my favorite trees...in all seasons.

[Ken]

Beautiful maples. Where did you get your Acer mandshuricum? I’ve been looking for one to add to my garden.

[Linda Brazill]

KEN — Got it 21 years ago at the local botanical garden's spring plant sale. Alas, they don't have such interesting trees these days. ​