Plant Trees for Autumn Colors
Leaf peepers rejoice. You can enjoy brilliant fall color without leaving home by adding any of these trees to your landscape. Starting soon, all put on a show with autumn leaves of red, orange and gold. Try any of the following.
Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) showcases lacy leaves in fiery red.
Smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria ‘Purpureus’) offers a glowing mix of red, orange and copper.
Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) features maple-like leaves in gold.
Sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) yields foliage of pink, burgundy, orange or yellow, depending on the hybrid.
No room for a tree? Train a California native wild grape (Vitis californica) along a sturdy pergola or arbor and enjoy a blazing gold and red display in fall. ‘Roger’s Red’ and ‘Walker Ridge’ are good selections.
Mary James
San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles contributor
