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A trip to New England to see fall colors is wonderful but not possible for everyone. We can have our own landscape color display with planning and acceptance that our colors will need to be from different sources and less massive than in the Northeast. Since late winter/early spring is the best time to plant in our location this is the time of year to start planning additions and changes for a colorful future.
For all of us, but especially relative newcomers to the Front Range, a visit to the Colorado State University Plant Environmental Research Center (PERC) at 630 West Lake Street in Fort Collins now while fall colors are in full show will help with ideas for selections. PERC has acres of trees and shrubs, all identified, to wander through, enjoy and envision how our own landscape could benefit from new additions.
There is more to planting for color than just thinking about fall. Color, size, shape, texture and other features are important all year for trees, shrubs and smaller plantings. When planning a landscape there are so many things to consider that we tend to forget the variety of colors and textures available.
Once in a while we spot a beautiful sugar maple or large oak in the older parts of town that someone has succeeded in growing. However, we will be more successful if we stick to the small varieties of maple and oak which grow well here. The Wasatch, or bigtooth, maple is small but has very spectacular fall color. Ginnala maple is also beautiful but doesn’t like the alkaline soils that many of us have. As an alternative, try the tatarian maple, another small maple with fruit that turns bright red in July. The downy hawthorn has bronze fall color, and some of the plums have colorful leaves year round while others turn maroon or red in fall.
The crabapples which we so admire in the spring also have colorful fruit later and many of them have different shapes which are very attractive and enhance a landscape during the winter. We are all familiar with the stems of the red and yellow twig dogwoods which are also attractive during the winter months.
For fall color in large trees the Norway maple ‘jade glen’ turns yellow as does the hackberry, swamp white oak and ‘summit’ ash. For Reddish-orange color the Ohio buckeye could be used, but for reddish-purple plant the ‘autumn purple’ ash. There are many more but this is a sample of what is available in trees that adapt well to the growing conditions in the Loveland-Fort Collins area.
Vines such as the Virginia creeper, grapes, and ivies also have interest and beauty in more than just fall colors.
The burning bush is known for its fall color but is not very special the remainder of the year. However, some of the viburnums have showy spring flowers, bright berries that last into winter or at least until the cedar waxwings come through and eat them all. The American highbush cranberry is especially attractive all year. We have dwarf European cranberries that are very dense, compact small shrubs with lobed leaves making a good contrast with nearby evergreens. These shrubs though small have very spectacular deep red color in the fall. Also remember such shrubs as forsythia and quince for spring color.
In addition to these permanent plantings you can make your perennial beds bloom continually for many months from the spring bulbs to the fall ‘mums’ and delphiniums. By advance planning, studying and careful selection your landscape can have year ‘round beauty as well as color.
For information on blooming times, fall color and other features of plants that do well for the Front Range refer to Fact Sheet #7.419 - Large Deciduous Trees; #7.418 - Small Deciduous Trees; #7.415 - Deciduous Shrubs; and #7.405 - Herbaceous Perennials.
Q. When should I harvest my garlic?
A. Garlic can be dug at this time. Separate the cloves and replant a nice plump one about 3 inches deep for next year. Store the unplanted cloves in a dry, ventilated place for use in cooking.
Q. Is this really a good time to plant or transplant trees?
A. Spring is the best time to plant trees and shrubs in Colorado as it allows the entire growing season to reestablish the root system. Planting in early fall can be successful, however, particularly if the ground doesn’t freeze until late allowing time for some root growth. For best results plant early in the fall, mulch well to retain soil moisture and moderate soil temperatures and be sure to water regularly during fall and winter months if natural moisture is not sufficient.
Q. When purchasing a tree - - is bigger better?
A. No. When planting a tree, the larger it is the more shock or stress it is subjected to after transplanting. Also, the larger it is the longer it will take for it to become established and begin to grow again. A 4 to 6 foot tree will usually catch up with a larger one within a few years.
Green, full-sized tomatoes ripen in four to six weeks after harvest if they are stored in an area of 55 to 60 degree temperatures and 80 to 90% humidity.
To help prolong the growing season, remove mulch from your garden and containers of warm season plants. This will allow the sun to heat the soil during our warm fall days.
Clean and rake leaves and debris from your garden and landscape to help control diseases and eliminate hiding places for pests.
The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.
Fact Sheets are available at the Larimer County Extension Office, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado, telephone (970) 498-6000, or contact us by e-mail at larimer@coop.ext.colostate.edu
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