Mills County Extension Plant Wise 415 Main St., Suite 2, P.O. Box 430 Malvern, IA 51551 712-624-8616 http://www.extension.iastate.edu/mills Prepared by Nancy Crews, Mills County Horticulture Assistant October 2014 Colorful Fall Foliage outstanding fall foliage. Its foliage is often bright red in fall. Other possibilities include ‘Moraine’ sweet gum By Richard Jauron and (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Moraine’) with foliage that Willy Klein varies from yellow to red to purple, yellowwood Horticulture Department (Cladrastis kentukea) with yellow fall foliage and ginkgo Iowa State University (Ginkgo biloba) cultivars ‘Autumn Gold’ and ‘The President’ with golden yellow fall color. There are many things such as temperature, Which shrubs have colorful foliage in fall? moisture, rain, wind and the availability of Several deciduous shrubs have colorful fall foliage. The sunlight that impact the winged euonymus or burning bush (Euonymus alatus) quality of fall color – but having the right trees, shrubs, has red foliage in fall. The fall foliage of fothergilla vines and perennials will add to colors in the home (Fothergilla spp.) varies from yellow to orange to red. landscape each fall. Common witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) has yellow leaves in fall. In autumn, the foliage of Virginia Which shade trees have colorful fall foliage? sweetspire (Itea virginica) varies from yellow to orange to reddish purple. Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), staghorn Shade trees that possess excellent fall foliage include sumac (Rhus typhina) and blackhaw viburnum Freeman maple (Acer x freemanii), Norway maple (Acer (Viburnum prunifolium) have yellow, red and reddish platanoides), red maple (Acer rubrum), sugar maple purple foliage respectively. (Acer saccharum), white oak (Quercus alba), red oak (Quercus rubra) and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica). Are there any perennials with attractive fall foliage? Freeman maples are hybrids of red and silver maples. Their leaves vary from orange to red in fall. Widely sold Most perennials are grown for their colorful flowers. Freeman maples include Celebration®, Autumn Blaze® However, several perennials have attractive fall foliage. and Sienna Glen®. Easy Street™, ‘Emerald Queen’ and Perennials with yellow Parkway® are Norway maple cultivars with yellow fall foliage in fall include blue foliage. The red maple cultivars Red Sunset® and star (Amsonia spp.), Redpointe™ have dark red foliage in fall. balloon flower (Platycodon spp.), hosta Sugar maples are native to eastern Iowa. Their fall (Hosta spp.) and foliage varies from yellow to orange to reddish orange. monkshood (Aconitum ‘Commemoration,’ ‘Legacy’ and Fall Fiesta™ are spp.). The sensitive fern excellent sugar maple cultivars. (Onoclea sensibilis) and royal fern (Osmunda In fall, the foliage of white oaks is often reddish brown, regalis) also develop while red oaks have wine red foliage. Black gums are yellow fall color. The Pigsqueak (Bergenia cordifolia) not widely grown in Iowa. They are somewhat difficult to foliage of pigsqueak transplant and prefer moist, well-drained, acidic soils (pH (Bergenia cordifolia) 6.0 to 6.5). However, the black gum possesses often turns burgundy red in fall. The foliage of many hardy geraniums (Geranium spp.) is yellow, orange, red Calendars are available for $6.00 each - online at or purple in autumn. www.store.extention.iastate.edu/ or through the Mills County extension office. Several ornamental grasses also have striking fall color. Switchgrass (Panicum spp.) cultivars with colorful fall Selecting and Planting Spring-Flowering foliage include ‘Rehbraun’ Bulbs (reddish brown), ‘Rotstrahlbusch’ (burgundy red) and By Cindy Haynes Department of Horticulture ‘Prairie Fire’ (wine red). In Iowa State University fall, Miscanthus cultivars ‘Purpurascens’ and ‘November Sunset’ have As the garden season orange-red and golden winds down for the year, orange foliage now is a great time to respectively. Little select and plant a few bluestem (Schizachyrium spring-flowering bulbs for scoparium) has yellow to next year. Spring-flowering bulbs offer reliable color and burnt orange fall color. fragrance to the garden before many other plants wake Big bluestem cultivar from their long winter's nap. Gardeners can choose from ‘Blaze’ has orange to traditional spring-flowering bulbs, such daffodils, tulips, reddish purple fall color, and hyacinths, or the unusual like squill, crown imperial, giant onion, or guinea-hen. A small investment of time while ‘Blue Heaven’ Switch Grass "Prairie Fire" develops a burgundy red and money this fall will reward you with beautiful flowers color in autumn. next spring. Are there vines with colorful fall foliage? Selecting Bulbs Vines for fall color include Virginia creeper After deciding which types of flowers you want in the (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), Boston ivy spring, select only firm, solid bulbs for planting. Avoid (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) and American bittersweet bulbs that are shriveled or lightweight. Bulbs that are (Celastrus scandens). Virginia creeper is native to Iowa. discolored by mold or that contain soft spots should also It’s palmately compound leaves turn purple-red to be avoided. crimson red in fall. The autumn foliage on Boston ivy varies from yellow to orange to red. Virginia creeper and Size matters when selecting bulbs. The bigger the bulb Boston ivy are woody vines that climb objects via the better the flower display. Smaller bulbs often bloom adhesive-tipped tendrils. American bittersweet is also but you get more bang for your buck with the larger native to Iowa. It’s leaves turn yellow in fall. Female bulbs. plants also possess attractive reddish orange fruit clusters in fall. American bittersweet is a twining woody Planting Bulbs vine. October is a great time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. 2015 Garden Calendar Available The soil temperatures in early fall are ideal for Gardens bring tasty good root development. food, delightful However, some bulbs color, refreshing like tulips may emerge fragrance, rustling in the fall if they are leaves, and planted in September enervating prickles before the soil and tickles. temperatures begin to Sometimes they cool. Procrastinators even tickle the can plant spring-flowering bulbs as late as December if fancy. the ground remains unfrozen. This year's calendar Select the planting site as carefully as you selected the captures the sense of playfulness found in many gardens. Take a whimsical journey through the seasons in bulbs. The soil should be fertile and well drained. Bulbs photography, verse, and quippy garden quotes. planted in wet sites will often be short-lived. Amending poor soils will go a long way in ensuring dependable Makes a great gift and a handy garden journal too! blooms for the spring and every spring thereafter. The 2 more suitable the site, the longer the bulbs will last in the desired arrangement or pattern and then carefully garden. backfill with soil. Most bulbs prefer a sunny site as well. Bulbs are often Fertilizers like 5-10-5, Bulb Booster, or Bone Meal can successful beneath a high branched deciduous tree be incorporated into the soil at the time of planting. Bone because they usually flower before the tree fully leafs meal is often slower acting and more expensive than the out. After the bulbs have finished flowering, many can others. These fertilizers are more important for the tolerate the light shade from trees. development of next year's bulb than they are for the upcoming flowers of this year's bulb. Bulbs are generally planted along the foundations of homes or in beds or borders for unobstructed views of After planting be sure to water the area thoroughly to the blooms. Consider planting them with ornamental provide plenty of moisture for root growth. The addition grasses and other perennials that will hide the foliage as of a light blanket of mulch on top of the soil will moderate it yellows. Plant bulbs in large groups for maximum soil temperatures. This will allow the bulbs a little more visual impact. Bulbs planted alone or in rows like time for root growth before the ground freezes. The soldiers are not nearly as effective as large sweeps or mulch layer will also conserve moisture in the soil the drifts of color. For a naturalized look, simply toss following summer. handfuls of bulbs in the garden and plant them where they land. The smaller bulbs should be planted in large Many garden centers and garden catalogs offer a wide groups (20 or more) or elevated in a berm or rock variety of spring-blooming bulbs for sale. With a little garden so they can be seen easily. Bulbs with different planning and effort this fall you can be enjoying their bloom times can be mixed together for a long-lasting cheery blossoms next spring. display. Proper bulb depth is another important planting Upcoming Horticulture requirement. The general rule is to plant the bulb at the depth of 2 1/2 Events of Interest: to 3 times the height of the “Fall Chrysanthemum Show” bulb. Tulips, daffodils, and Date: October 4 – November 23 hyacinths are Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM often planted Place: Lauritzen Gardens 6-8 inches Cost: Adults: $10 deep. The - Children ages six to 12: $5 smaller bulbs - Children younger than six years: no admission fee like squill, - Lauritzen Gardens members: no admission fee snowdrops, and crocus are Experience a fascinating fabrication of flowers at the often planted 3 garden’s annual fall chrysanthemum show. Bold mums to 4 inches combine with vibrant colors, rich fabrics, diverse textures deep. Larger and other exotic design elements- representative of the bulbs can be spaced 4-6 inches apart while a 2-3 inch east Indian culture. For more information visit: spacing is more suitable for the smaller bulbs. http://www.lauritzengardens.org Don't forget to plant your bulbs right side up. This means “Winterizing Your Garden Workshop” planting the pointed end up for bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, squill and many others.