There is a quiet magic that settles over the garden when autumn takes hold. As the hectic growth of summer fades, a richer, slower beauty steps into the spotlight—one painted in deep amber, fiery crimson, and brilliant gold. With the morning air turning crisp and the low sun casting a warm glow across the borders, I couldn’t resist grabbing my camera to capture this fleeting transition before the leaves blow away on the wind.
As I walked the paths, it was a trio of spectacular trees that instantly caught my eye:
Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’: This spectacular maple truly commands attention in autumn, as its leaves undergo a breathtaking transformation from glossy green to an intense, brilliant crimson. It seems to catch fire and glow from within, even on overcast days.
Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’: A very upright, columnar tree. The leaves are lobed and look like stars from a distance. Planted in full sun, they produce a stunning colour gradient ranging from yellow and orange through to rich plum.
Sorbus ‘Autumn Spire’: A beautiful Rowan well-suited to smaller gardens or where border space is limited. Presenting superb autumn interest, its leaves transition from green through to orange-pink and then fiery red, complementing the vibrant orange berries beautifully.
The garden boasts many dogwoods prized for their vibrant winter stems of red, orange, yellow, and purple, but their autumn leaves are totally underrated. This foliage transitions beautifully through rich hues of apricot, pink, and deep plum, catching the low autumn sunlight perfectly.
Ornamental grasses continue to provide plenty of interest as they shift into shades of butter-yellow with hints of red and deep plum. They glow in the fading light beautifully, adding a sense of soft, dancing movement to the garden as they rustle in the slightest breeze.
As the days grow shorter, these flashes of brilliant colour are a wonderful reminder that the garden doesn’t simply fade away – it changes into something equally spectacular.
Thank you for joining me on this photographic tour of my autumn garden!
