Amazing Autumn Colour

is just too tempting ...

Autumn colour has the ability to make me go weak at the knees. I love it .... just as the temperatures are dropping and things can become dull and gloomy, your garden develops a new potential – to be positively glowing with fantastic foliage colour. Autumn is a great time to plant trees and shrubs and as the plants are showing their beautiful colours, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting.

Plants for vertical surfaces:
Vitis coignetiae – a rampant grower, the heart shaped leaves may measure 25-30cm across and their splendid scarlet and crimson colours are un-missable. This vine can be grown through large trees and over sturdier supports. Colours are especially good if the soil is miserable or the root run restricted.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia - commonly known as the Virginia creeper, it’s another sizeable climber, and this also offers a good degree of self-clinging ability, so it can be used on walls without a support system. In autumn the leaves are numerous shades of scarlet, orange and red. It can grow tall so may need trimming.

Parthenocissus henryana – a relative of the Virginia creeper, but much more restrained. In autumn the leaves turn from a dark green to bronzy colour with pretty silvery white veining to rich shades of red.

Shrubs:
Fothergilla major or Witch Alder is a gorgeous smallish to medium sized shrub, covered with scented creamy white spiky flower clusters early in the year, before the leaves appear. The foliage turns shades of yellow and orange in the autumn. Fothergilla needs a lime-free soil. Amelanchier lamarckii, also known as the snowy mespilus or serviceberry, is a large shrub or small tree and produces lovely whitish blossom in spring.

The leaves change from a coppery colour to bright green to one huge
mass of fiery colours in autumn.

Acers or maples are generally reliable autumn show stoppers, and for smaller gardens you find it hard to beat one of the Japanese maples with their stunning divided leaves turning rich purples, reds, oranges and yellows. They do well in large tubs, perfect for a sheltered back yard.

Cotinus or smoke bush is a shrub with attractively rounded leaves that come in shades of green, pinkish–orange or purple with a bright display in autumn. The fluffy seed heads that are left after flowering look just like little clouds or plumes of smoke.

If your garden soil is waterlogged now, then wait a week or more until it is in better condition before planting. If the soil is dry, it will still need watering well, and the soil around the roots will need to be kept moist. Always check the potential height and spread of trees or shrubs you’re considering. Then sit back and enjoy your own bit of autumnal magic!

Make veg growing fun and productive with Pippa’s unique ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ system. Select your veg plants from www. pippagreenwood.com and your garden-ready plants are delivered in May at a great time for planting and then Pippa will email you every week about what you’re growing – lots of tips and help, ensuring great results.

It’s great value with various pack sizes available, eg up to 66 plants plus 6 packets of seed for just £39.00, plus that weekly advice.

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