Firework display of colour predicted this autumn
14 September 2012
A spectacular display of autumn colour is predicted at RHS gardens this year due to the wet summer and recent warm sunny weather.
RHS Garden Wisley Curator, Colin Crosbie says, “The wet weather over the summer helped trees produce large volumes of leaves and rather than shed them, as they would do in a dry year, they have retained them. Autumn colours will also be boosted by increased sugar levels in trees as a result of the recent lovely warm sunny days we have been enjoying.
“As the weather starts getting cooler and the chlorophyll that gives leaves their green colour begins breaking down it will expose yellow, orange and red pigments that, as long as we don’t get heavy rain or winds, should provide an incredible display of colour from trees this autumn.”
At RHS Garden Wisley Colin has noticed the cold temperatures at night and warm days have started the process of leaves turning. Colin says Acers saccharinum and rubrum, cultivated varieties of Acer palmatum, Euonymus europeaus cultivars, Liquidambar styraciflua and Nyssa sylvatica will begin to show glorious autumn colour first, with natives such as oak trees and beech providing further spectacular sights later on in the season.
Colin finishes, “If the weather conditions remain the same Britain is in for a real treat in its gardens this autumn with wonderful displays of yellow, gold and red, which is at least one good side to the wet summer.”
This year the RHS has launched a campaign ‘Autumn Planting for Year Round Colour’, to promote getting outside and planting in this key gardening season when the soil is still warm.