It's amazing what a difference a little cold weather and frost can make on the colors in the Autumn garden. Finally, all the plants that were waiting for cold weather are turning.
This is one of those nifty plants that garden writers describe as "underused."
It is the native Gillenia trifoliata. It blooms in Spring with small white flowers, has healthy green foliage all Summer, and then ends up like this before drying out. Another plant that turns orange (surprisingly) is the dark-foliaged Actaea/Cimicifuga 'Black Negligee.'
Behind it is a Hosta that has finally turned yellow.
The Witchhazel (Hammamelis 'Sunburst'), behind the Geranium maculatum and the Hostas, has just started turning yellow and orange. Usually its Fall color accompanies the Geranium, but I fear that this year the Geranium will be a dried, faded mess by the time the Witchhazel color peaks.
By contrast, the dark-leaved Smokebush, Cotinus coggygria 'Nordine' is already at peak color.
I just had to get a shot of the back-lit leaf color. 'Nordine' is the hardiest of the dark-foliaged Smokebushes; I got it at a sale at the Morton Arboretum.
Not as dark as the Smokebush, this Dogwood adds depth to the Autumn garden.
It is 'Aurora,' one of the Rutgers University hybrids (Cornus x rutgersensis 'Rutban'). Still too immature to bloom, it came from the same sale as the Smokebush.
The Magnolia's Fall show is right on schedule. It came with the house, so I don't know what cultivar of Magnolia stellata it is.
This is the view from my living room. Every November, the room is filled with golden light.
It is the native Gillenia trifoliata. It blooms in Spring with small white flowers, has healthy green foliage all Summer, and then ends up like this before drying out. Another plant that turns orange (surprisingly) is the dark-foliaged Actaea/Cimicifuga 'Black Negligee.'
Behind it is a Hosta that has finally turned yellow.
The Witchhazel (Hammamelis 'Sunburst'), behind the Geranium maculatum and the Hostas, has just started turning yellow and orange. Usually its Fall color accompanies the Geranium, but I fear that this year the Geranium will be a dried, faded mess by the time the Witchhazel color peaks.By contrast, the dark-leaved Smokebush, Cotinus coggygria 'Nordine' is already at peak color.
I just had to get a shot of the back-lit leaf color. 'Nordine' is the hardiest of the dark-foliaged Smokebushes; I got it at a sale at the Morton Arboretum.
Not as dark as the Smokebush, this Dogwood adds depth to the Autumn garden.
It is 'Aurora,' one of the Rutgers University hybrids (Cornus x rutgersensis 'Rutban'). Still too immature to bloom, it came from the same sale as the Smokebush.The Magnolia's Fall show is right on schedule. It came with the house, so I don't know what cultivar of Magnolia stellata it is.
This is the view from my living room. Every November, the room is filled with golden light. 
11 comments:
Lovely fall colors.
I feel as though I've had a very pleasant walk through your beautiful late fall gardens! Thank you.
Beautiful fall foliage and colors!
These are delicious colours. I don't know the Gillenia at all and must look it up. One of the problems with living where there is so much wind is that many things don't change colour that well, just have their leaves blown off. My magnolia doesn't change colour like that...I'm envious, but happy for your golden light, too.
I am thinking of your golden light, and it sounds wonderful.
Tbanks everyone! I'm glad you enjoyed this slightly delayed show.
Welcome Shady Gardener. I have a feeling that our gardens have much in common.
Very beautiful! We are just now starting to enjoy autumn color, and I am with Jodi here, never heard of Gillenia and need to check it out for my own place.
Hi, Healing Magic Hands! Gillenia is pretty easy to grow as long as you give it a bit of shade. It is a plant with subtle charm, which is probably why it is not better known.
Beautiful photos. The frost has turned my garden a variety of colors but there's still a lot of green showing. Thanks for sharing.
I think you're right. We each have a good amount of shade. I will enjoy peeking through more of your pages!
Mary - Thanks for visiting and for the compliment.
Shady Gardener - I've visited your blog, and, yes, we Midwestern shade gardeners need to stick together!
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