Look low for Austin’s fall color

October 20, 2009


Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans)

I’ve been leaf-peeping on northern garden blogs lately, and feeling a bit nostalgic for the changing colors of the trees I remember from my years in the southeastern U.S., which has a decent fall show too.

In Austin you must look down, not up, for fall color. But it’s all around us in the autumn blooms of salvias, asters, roses, Turk’s cap, native daisies, and much more. Our gardens are nowhere near shutting down for winter but rather are enjoying their second wind.

A consolation, I suppose, for trees that stay green or go bare with barely a whisper instead of a blaze of glory.

All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

10 responses to “Look low for Austin’s fall color”

  1. Janet says:

    Gotta love the extended growing season of Texas.

  2. Lola says:

    We have an extended planting time here to. Most times the temps are very nice for gardening. Looking down here is also a way to see the colors.

  3. I know I would miss certain points of each season should I move away… Aren’t you happy that the internet and world of Garden Blogs is “out there?” 🙂

  4. I think I recognize that northern garden!

  5. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    Yes, there are shots of leaf color around here. However despite all the rain we have had prettier falls.

  6. Gail says:

    I can see why folks visit Austin in October. We are waiting patiently for our color here, Pam. We just had our first real October weather. gail

  7. Have a pretty good show up here on the Llano right now. Plus, rain. Look for it coming your way in a day or two…

    It’s here this morning, Susan. Yea! —Pam

  8. joseph says:

    I’m with ya, Pam – I miss a good old-fashioned autumn show of color like I enjoyed growing up in the Midwest. Sometimes the nostalgia is so strong I find myself wanting to move back …

  9. Jenny says:

    I’m the same way Pam. Never had much opportunity to see them until I started blogging. Now it really is bringing back the memories. What do you think of the rain today? I was glad because my garden was looking dry again.

  10. Willi says:

    Lovely! I planted pineapple sage, fruit sage and one other one whose tag got lost and they are all blooming right now in my Seattle garden. The hummers are still visiting. I think they are a must have in any garden…and I love to infuse the leaves in a simple syrup!