For a nice little pop of fall color, you can always plant mums.
But for a humongous, psychedelic explosion of intense hues, try a tree.
Little compares to a mature deciduous tree flaunting its autumn finery of red, orange or gold.
Fall is an excellent time to add a tree to your yard: Rain is usually more reliable than during summer, but the soil is still warm enough to encourage root growth.
With cold weather approaching, many landscape retailers are eager to sell their inventory, so you might be able to find a tree that you like on clearance.
Mike Ecker, director of horticulture at Dawes Arboretum near Newark, offered for consideration six of the best deciduous trees for fall color in Ohio.
Their color and growth, of course, are influenced by their environment, he said.
“In many cases, more sun means more color, and colors are muted in shade.”
The trees described typically reach a mature height of about 50 feet (unless otherwise noted) but might grow taller under ideal conditions or less if they are struggling. The best soil for most: moist but well-drained.
“Site is a critical factor when it comes to how a tree performs,” he said.
Here are his suggestions.
Autumn Flame maple
Fall color: vibrant red
Ecker says: At the peak of its color, “It looks like somebody plugged it into a light socket.”& amp; amp; amp; amp; lt; /p>
Fall color: warm reddish-brown
Ecker says: “The cool thing is that the color is unique. I don’t know of any other tree that comes close to that color.”
Fall color: bright red
Ecker says: “In a good season, that tree is just a gorgeous sight.” In addition, “Once it’s mature, the bark looks almost like alligator hide.”
Fall color: yellow
Ecker says: “Hackberry is one of the toughest trees you can imagine,” as it can tolerate compacted, poorly drained soil. It can grow as much as 1 foot a year when young.
(approximate mature height: 20 feet)
Fall color: reddish orange
Ecker says: In terms of variations in sun and soil chemistry, “It’s more tolerant than some of our other native trees.”
Fall color: variable, from yellow to purplish-red, but almost always spectacular
Ecker says: “The fruit is a negative for some people.” (His advice: Scatter the spiky, grape-size balls around tender garden plants to deter rabbits.)
Plenty of other trees suitable for Ohio landscapes make stunning fall displays, such as the pagoda dogwood, in muted reds; the yellowish-orange higan cherry; and the golden yellow larch.
Kind of makes you want to start your own arboretum.
Diana Lockwood is a freelance writer covering gardening topics.