Thanksgiving Colors

My backyard jungle in November before the early freeze

Happy Thanksgiving, readers! What am I grateful for on this day? Among many blessings, I am enjoying seasonal color without leaving town.

We don't normally have a whole lot of autumn leaf color where I live. Most often the leaves drop without changing to mango, topaz,  ginger, or garnet. This year is different. Leaves have remained on trees a bit longer than usual, I think, and an early freeze last week seems to have coaxed startling pigment from some of them.

In addition to the effect of climate change, there is another reason for the increase in fall color in the Lowcountry. A couple of years ago the Town constructed medians on Highway 17, landscaping both the medians and the verges, on each side of the road, with an attractive palette of plants. And in my own yard, I now take into account the potential for gorgeous autumn foliage when I select new shrubs and trees to plant. Several months ago I purchased a coral bark Japanese maple with color in mind.

Coral bark Japanese maple before the freeze

Coral bark Japanese maple after the freeze

The leaves on this "Desert Gold" peach tree have dropped now

A hosta coordinates foliage color with Japanese maples 

Oakleaf hydrangea (see last month's post for comparison)

Lace-leaf Japanese maple "Viridis" surrounded by a partridge berry ground cover

Leaf shapes in a public space

Ambling through the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville

A moth perches on daisies in front of the Education Center at the North Carolina Arboretum

In mid-June, while motoring through the Southern Appalachian Mountains, I discovered the North Carolina Arboretum, located a short distance from my route. I spent part of my morning there ambling through the gardens.

The Arboretum charges a per vehicle fee which is waived for members. As I am not a member and was traveling alone, my admission fee was in effect $12 - several dollars more than I expected to pay. 

Yet, after visiting, I'd do it again - and allow more time for exploring. The property includes 65 acres of cultivated gardens and more than 10 miles of hiking trails - far too much ground to cover in less than two hours. I did have time, however, to stop by the Heritage Garden, the Quilt Garden, the Stream Garden, the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, and the Plants of Promise Garden.

The Quilt Garden  

Hydrangea maculata "Lisbelle"

Shade loving Hosta "Allen P. McConnell"

Spiky shapes and shadows add interest

Plant markers identify species

A soothing waterfall fountain

Wisteria vines wind up tree

Education Center porch

Daisies galore at the Entrance Plaza

Shade loving plants grow in front of the Baker Exhibit Center

I'm a huge fan of Japanese maples

On my way back to the Interstate, I stopped by the Eden Brothers warehouse and went a little crazy buying seeds. That's what happens when a gardener leaves paradise. 

The North Carolina Arboretum

For more information, visit the North Carolina Arboretum's website: http://www.ncarboretum.org.