The Joys of Autumn

Here in the south, fall is finally upon us. The leaves are changing, nuts are falling, and winter weeds are sprouting. While many things are going dormant, others are erupting with life. Fall in the south is far from boring.

Fall conjures images of maple leaves and smells of pumpkin spice, but it encompasses so much more. For one, it represents the start of Camellia season. Beginning with Camellia sasanqua in the fall, this vast genus contains all sorts of species and cultivars that bloom from September until March. For a collector like me, the endless varieties provide ample fuel for my addiction. If you need a new plant addiction, I'd suggest visiting Massee Lane Gardens in Central Georgia in February.

The juxtaposition of a fall-blooming Camellia with deciduous fall foliage is particularly delicious. The photo below was taken in Raleigh, NC by Jay Yourch.

This is also a time for berries and fruit. Many of our iconic hollies are just now coming into color. One that caught my eye was the golden winterberry (Illex verticillata). While this species most commonly produces bright red berries, golden berried cultivars do exist. Abundant fruit production requires planting a male clone such as 'Southern Gentleman' or 'Mr. Poppins'. And full sun with plenty of moisture ensures the best growth and berry.

Another great aspect of autumn, at least to me, is the emergence of winter foliage perennials and bulbs. You know you are an addict when you find green leaves exciting. But it is precisely because they are seasonal, to be found only during the fall and winter months, that I find them so comforting. Of course, when you truly love a plant, you love its whole life cycle, and that is certainly the case for the genus Lycoris and Arum. Their winter foliage, which emerges this time of year, signals the coming of spring. And as the years go by, I become more and more attached to the cycles of nature and the repeating patterns of the seasons.

Winter Arum lilies, while somewhat invasive, provide an unusual addition to the winter landscape. Their leaves are erupting right now. The cultivar displayed is offered at Plant Delights Nursery, but many selections exhibit this marbled silvery mottling. Just be aware that this plant will spread and seed itself around the garden.

Lastly, this is a season of falling nuts. While acorns in all their shapes and sizes are ubiquitous throughout the east. I'd like the highlight the somewhat obscure nuts like hickories and beechnuts. The reason we don't often encounter these species in our urban and suburban landscape is because they are rarely planted, and virtually impossible to find in the trade. Unless you happen to live in a native forest or hike on nature trails, you are unlikely to see them. Yet they are a vital component of the ecology of eastern forests, along with oaks. And few people realize the incredible fall colors that many possess. I'm thinking specifically of the pignut hickory, or Carya glabra. While this is a slow-growing species, its autumnal magnificence, a nice buttery yellow, is well worth the wait, even if just for your descendants. Trees like this are a gift to the generations who come after us.

Beech trees are equally as rare in the trade, and perhaps one of our most beautiful forest species. They are by far the leafiest member of the forest, with a dense canopy and many low-hanging branches. And it has this smooth pale bark, that is unfortunately often defaced with human etchings (usually with displays of hearts and young love). I'm particularly excited each fall to see the distinctive "burrs" and beechnuts. They remind me of miniature chestnut burrs, but without the painful prickles. And apparently, the nut inside is highly nutritious, yet all the ones I've tried have been bitter. Maybe I'm eating the slightly unripened ones. The fall color is fairly variable, usually displays of yellow and bronze, which remain on the tree throughout the winter.

Japanese persimmons are also ripening up. If you've never eaten a soft perfect ripe persimmon, you've been missing out. Apparently, this is a good year for them. While I'm not certain the cultivar, I've been snacking on some a friend gave me, and they are heavenly. Perhaps someone knows the correct cultivar name?

So there is so much to see and experience right now. I'm amazed at the fall color this year, even here in central n. Georgia. Don't let this ephemeral season slip by without exploring your natural environment. I'm as guilty as anyone of not taking the time to fully experience nature, but hopefully, by drawing attention to it, I will remind myself to re-connect with it.