If you drive through the mountains of Hecker Pass Highway
outside of Gilroy, along the outskirts of Morgan Hill toward Henry
Coe State Park or toward Paicines outside Hollister, you’re bound
to come across some of our local fall color. OK, our fall color may
not rival that of New England’s, but you can still find quite a
spectacle if you pay attention.
If you drive through the mountains of Hecker Pass Highway outside of Gilroy, along the outskirts of Morgan Hill toward Henry Coe State Park or toward Paicines outside Hollister, you’re bound to come across some of our local fall color. OK, our fall color may not rival that of New England’s, but you can still find quite a spectacle if you pay attention.
This is the time of year to shop at nurseries for shrubs, trees or perennials that show fall color. It’s not only the best time of year to plant them, but you’ll get an idea of what type of fall color they’ll show, too.
The cooler days, longer nights and soon-to-come rainfall makes planting perfect. By spring, they’ll already be partially established and ready to really spring forth. And if you’re lucky, most fall-color specimens will be showing a crown of fall leaves or flowers. Shoot, if we all plant for fall color, maybe someday tourists will be taking California Fall Color trips here.
There are many trees and shrubs to look for. These range from common liquidambar and pistachio trees to Oregon grape shrubs and heavenly bamboo (nandina domestica). Other trees to look for are: Gingko balboa (Maidenhair tree), Nyssa sylvatica (Pepperridge tree, Tupelo or Sour Gum), Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) and Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum).
Be warned, however, that several of these trees have invasive root systems and should not be planted within 20 feet of sidewalks, driveways or underground pipes. Unfortunately, many cities have found this out the hard way when some of these specimens were planted 30 or 40 years ago.
Liquidambars, in particular, have gotten a bad reputation. Besides invasive roots, they produce spiky seed pods that can be quite messy. But there’s a recent introduction called Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Rotundiloba’ that sets no seedpods. Yet, leaves turn a wonderful yellow, red, burgundy and purple in the fall.
Euphorbia amygdaloide ‘Purpurea’ is a 12-inch tall upright plant with purple foliage. Helichrysum thianschanicum ‘Icicles’ offers silver and velvet type fingerlike leaves on a compact plant. Winged euonymus (E. alatus), Spiraea and various types of ornamental grasses are other possible choices.
Some shrubs also offer red berries for fall color. Things like common pyracantha, cotoneaster and toyon should not be forgotten. Even English hollies can be planted now for red berries for the holidays.
There are also many varieties of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) that will put on quite a show. Look for both green and red-leafed varieties. Some will change to burgundy or crimson in fall. One drawback is price. Japanese maples tend to be quite expensive and very slow growing.
So, wander through your nursery this time of year. You may just be in for a surprise.
