Gardening Tips

For glowing leaves of orange and red, always start with the Sugar maple (Acersaccharum). Red maple (A. rubrum) grows about the same size - 'October Glory' is one that will show off amazing scarlet fall color. Japanese maple
(A. palmatum) comes in many shapes and sizes. Their leaves show off orange and scarlet.
Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) has feathery leaves that turn russet orange in the fall. For dry soil, plant Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) - red and orange leaves.
For colorful foliage and fruit, you can't beat Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki).

Trees and shrubs that offer fall and winter fruit are both pretty to the eye and attract the birds - pyracantha and crabapple.
'Winter Red' is a pretty shrub in late fall and winter, when red berries cover every twig. Plus, it grows in both wet and well-drained soils. 'Winter Red' is female, so plant a male "Southern Gentleman' nearby for pollination.
Mums come in almost every color and they are perennials. Marigolds are annuals that show off their color all summer and boost into over drive in the fall. Salvias can add a spark of color too. Try the pinapple sage (Salvia elegans). It has bright red flowers that attract hummingbirds and smells of fresh pineapple.
A new plant to try - lion's tail (Leonotis leonurus), one of the first perennials exported from its native South Africa. It shows off orange blooms that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Last but not least is bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus). So pretty to have for fall decorating. This vine will take over your garden and cover your whole house. It's best left on the dining room table around your pumpkins.