The Light in the Leaves
Have you looked outside your window lately? (Of course you have–what kind of a question is that? It’s fall, and enthusiastic leaf-peepers are out every weekend, winding up and down the roads in the north Georgia mountains, and along every other scenic route.)
Autumn is spectacular this year, and the light has a lot to do with it. When the sun gleams through a canopy of foliage, ordinary yellows turn to burnished gold. Scarlet leaves practically glow. Right now, the sugar maples in my yard are a riot of ruby, emerald, and orange.
November is an excellent time for Atlantans to plant trees and shrubs for glorious color. The cooler temperatures encourage them to establish strong root systems, which serve them well during the next warm growing season.
When you’re out leaf-peeping this fall, jot down some notes about where the light hits your garden. Then, when you plant for next year, you can make the best use of nature’s spotlight—the sun.
Tomorrow I’ll share some of my favorite fall trees and bushes with you. What plants are “glowing” in your garden right now?
Lynn