Early Autumn Color

The garden is winding down for the season and there's not much blooming now, although the Sansanqua Camellias are about to start. No doubt that the drought here isn't giving the plants what they need to provide abundant late flowers. There is some interest in the garden now provided by some bright autumn foliage, although the peak is at least several weeks away. The three species featured are all native to the Eastern United States and are reliable providers of early autumn color.

First up is Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora), a plant that's been featured on this blog twice before, for its emerging spring foliage and early summer flowers.

Aesculus parviflora autumn foliage

Close-up of Aesculus parviflora compound leaf

Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) is not known for showy flowers, but it does have a neat pyramidal habit and consistently adds bright red to the early autumn scene.

Nyssa sylvatica autumn foliage

Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is another reliable provider of early autumn red foliage and also offers attractive summer flowers.

Oxydendrum arboreum autumn foliage