Georgia Magazine - October 2024 - 16

GEORGIA Gardens
Story and photos by Erica Glasener
10 trees
for Georgia's
autumn
landscape
F
all is an ideal time to enjoy and plant trees in
Georgia. While it's hard to go wrong with a
majestic oak or an American beech, it's all
about the right tree for the right place.
Here are 10 outstanding selections for both
large and small landscapes.
1. Japanese maples, selections of Acer
palmatum, are elegant trees suited to many garden
styles, from formal to those that are more natural.
Depending on the cultivar, the leaves can be
three-lobed or finely dissected, almost like lace.
styles, from formal to those that are more natural.
three-lobed or finely dissected, almost like lace.
In autumn certain selections turn brilliant shades
In autumn certain selections turn brilliant shades
Acer palmatum 'Ryusen' is a variety of
Japanese maple that has a distinct weeping form and
green palmate leaves that turn bright red to deep
orange in late fall, usually November and early
December. When the central trunk is staked to a
height of 4 feet it makes a dramatic focal point in the
garden. It can grow 5 feet to 6 feet over 15 years and
works well for narrow spaces.
2.Acer palmatum 'Sango kaku,' also known as
the Coral Bark maple, grows to a height of up to
25 feet. The leaves turn golden-yellow in the fall,
providing a striking contrast to the bright-red bark. If
planted in deep shade, the red coral-colored bark
will fade.
3. The white flowers of Amelanchier arborea
'Autumn Brilliance,' also known as Downy Serviceberry,
are among the first to bloom in spring. In
summer it has blue-green foliage and small, edible
fruits that taste like blueberries (if you can get to
them before the squirrels do). Depending on the
individual tree, fall color can be yellow, red or
brilliant orange. With its smooth, gray bark in winter,
this beauty offers interest during every season.
Serviceberry grows quickly and is a small, multi16
Georgia Magazine October 2024
Japanese maple that has a distinct weeping form and
stemmed tree or can be trained to be a single trunk that reaches 20 feet to
25 feet at maturity.
4. The native Carya glabra, or the Pignut hickory, is best suited for
large properties, where it can develop to its full potential. The leaves turn
brilliant yellow in the autumn and even sometimes yellow-orange, usually
in late October or November. Resilient and easy to grow with a taproot, it is
best to start with a young, container-grown tree. This species is not
cultivated for its nuts as the seeds are bitter. Instead, plant it for shade and
a food source for birds and small mammals. It will grow to 50 feet to 60 feet
tall with a spread of 25 feet to 35 feet. Plant it in full sun or part shade in
well-drained soil. Once established, it can tolerate periods of drought.
5. Cladrastis kentuckea (formerly known as lutea), or Yellowwood,
is an elegant tree in every season. This uncommon native, which grows
30 feet to 50 feet tall, starts out with bright green foliage, which often turns
golden in the autumn. Its silhouette and smooth, gray bark bring beauty to
the winter. In spring, it offers wisteria-like, fragrant, white flowers. If you
start with a young tree, be patient; it may take a few years for it to bloom.
6. Cotinus obovatus, also known as the native American smoketree,
is a good choice for a small tree with outstanding fall color. Reaching 20 feet
to 30 feet in height at maturity, the tree has red, orange and yellow leaves
that glow in the landscape. During the summer, the foliage is a handsome
In autumn certain selections turn brilliant shades
of crimson, yellow, red and orange.
Together, the Japanese maple and the Bald cypress create
beautifully contrasting fall foliage.
, are elegant trees suited to many garden
Georgia Magazine - October 2024

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