172 THE COMPLETE GARDEN 



acids within the leaf. These acids are present constantly in their 

 respective types of plants. 



It is a peculiar fact that in some trees autumn colouration is much 

 more vivid than in other trees, because of the presence of certain acids 

 the chemical reaction of which produces these vivid colours. The 

 autumn colouration of foliage ranges from the dull browns through the 

 yellows and orange to the brilliant red and scarlet. Some of our 

 trees and shrubs such as the red maple, Judas tree, sourwood, sumac, 

 and sassafras, develop their autumn colours during the early part 

 of the fall. In these trees growth {stops early in the season and 

 the wood matures more quickly. There is one group of plants 

 such as the Virginia creeper, Thunberg's barberry, red oak, high- 

 bush cranberry, and arrow-wood, in which the autumn colouration 

 is produced shortly after the early trees have shown their autumn 

 colours. The American beech, golden bell, scarlet oak, and burning 

 bush, and some others mature and ripen last of all and are included 

 in the group with late autumn colouration. With the great oppor- 

 tunity for selection of trees and shrubs from these three well-defined 

 groups a succession, if it may be so termed, of autumn colouration 

 may be obtained, which will supplement and add interest to the fruit- 

 ing effects produced by a well-selected group of plants valuable for the 

 characteristics of their fruit. 



One has only to observe our native trees and shrubs in the north- 

 east to appreciate the wonderful colour effects which are produced 

 during the autumn months and are evidenced on all of our hillsides. 

 So seldom are shrubs selected for landscape grouping with a specific 

 intention of emphasizing their value because of autumn colouration, 

 that we find there are few good illustrations, and those at scattered 

 intervals, showing the autumn colours and their values in the settings 

 of our lawns. 



LIST OF PLANTS VALUABLE BECAUSE OF THE AUTUMN 

 COLOURATION OF THE LEAVES 



The plants in the following three groups have been separated and 

 grouped because of the interesting colour effects of the foliage. The 

 most important factor in selecting plants for the autumn colouration 

 of their foliage is to select material which will provide a succession of 

 colour from early fall to late fall. The colours produced by the foliage 

 of the different types are indicated after each type. 



