BEYOND BE-LEAF
You can bring some of that blaze of autumn colour we’re seeing to your home, writes Ginny Clark.
THIS YEAR we are witnessing some amazing autumn colours in the deciduous trees in Tauranga. This must be a result of another the long hot and dry summer, which has put many trees under additional stress, and the fact that we have had very little wind and rain the last few weeks which, in the past has blown all the leaves off the trees.
Consequently, we have a show which pretty much equals what you might see in the cooler parts of New Zealand. Perfect!
I love this time of the year as it is when we see real changes in the garden and blankets of lovely leaves on the lawns.
Some may curse the leaf fall, but it is one of the things that make trees so interesting. The big advantage of a deciduous tree over evergreen is that they only drop their leaves once, at the end of autumn, unlike evergreen trees which tend to shed their leaves all through the year resulting in a never-ending clean-up.
If you want to have autumn tones in your garden, you need to have some deciduous trees. Choose carefully as one does not want a tree that gets enormous in a smalltown garden. Small trees that make a spectacular display include the likes of
Liquidambar Gumball. These have a mapleshaped leaf which turns shades of brilliant orangey red and keeps to a nice compact ball shape. Ideal for the patio or small garden. Smoke Bush and Crepe Myrtles also give a terrific show.
Dogwoods, weeping cherries, and Japanese Maples, including the very popular weeping Crimson Queen also make a beautiful show at this time of the year. Once they have lost their leaves the framework of the branches are interesting too.
For the larger property, many of the flowering Cherry trees colour up nicely. They have the added bonus of spring blossom. Red Oaks, Scarlet Oaks, Claret Ash and Liquidambars and Gingko trees look brilliant now too. Try the upright Gingko fastigata if you do not have much room and want a tree that is tall but not wide.
Keep an eye about as you drive around. A trip to Mclarens Falls Park at this time of year is a must as the trees up there are spectacular. Take a walk through the park and take in the lake and the colours. It is so peaceful on a sunny day.