The Colors Of Fall

A Catalogue and Tribute to the Fall Foliage of the Northeast

[standonecology]

Rubus phoenicolasius

“Wineberry”

Location: Charlestown, PA

Wineberry is a plant species native to Northeast Asia. In both Europe and North America it has been naturalized as an ornamental plant. It’s berries are edible and are reminiscent of raspberries and balckberries. Often, these berries have been used to make wine, which is where this species gets its name. In the Northeastern United States, the Wineberry is considered an invasive species.

Solar Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness Zones: 5

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, clay, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

[standonecology]

Rhus Typhina

“Staghorn Sumac”

Location: The Rail Park - Philadelphia, PA

The Staghorn Sumac is a small deciduous tree that grows vigorously and is recognized for its large scarlet fall foliage. The tree is named for its branching pattern, which is reminiscent of antlers. Because of its propensity for robust growth, these trees are often planted together as a hedge. However, this rapid growth has also landed the Staghorn Sumac on the invasive species list in the United States

Solar Exposure: Full sun

Hardiness Zones: 3-8

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, clay, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

(Additional Image from: http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/ )

[standonecology]

Rhus glabra

“Smooth Sumac”

Location: The Rail Park - Philadelphia, PA

Smooth sumac is a shrub that grows widely throughout the United States and Canada. The leaves and berries are edible for humans, but even more attractive eats for birds and deer. Its smooth, hairless branches and bark give it the “smooth” moniker. However, this plant is highly invasive; it is not only able to survive cutting and fire damage and come back with exuberance, but it also produces large clusters of berries in the spring, sometimes containing up to 700 individual seeds!

Solar Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness Zones: 3-9

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Symphyotrichum pilosum

“Frost Aster”

Location: The Rail Park - Philadelphia, PA

Native to Eastern North America, the Frost Aster can be found commonly in in prairies or open woodlands. It gets its name from the appearance of the stems and leaves, which are covered in hairs that give the appearance of a coating of frost. While it is planted as an ornamental plant for its numerous small white flowers, it has strong invasive ability if it gets out of a cultivated environment.

Solar Exposure: Full sun

Hardiness Zones: 3-8

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Betula nigra

“River Birch”

Location: The Rail Park - Philadelphia, PA

Valued for its distinctive bark and beautiful canopy, the River Birch is a fast-growing pioneer species that thrives in wet environments like floodplains and land surrounding creeks and rivers. It is native to the Eastern United States and is one of the best ornamental trees for attracting wild birds.

Solar Exposure: Full sun

Hardiness Zones: 2-7

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, clay, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Aesculus hippocastanum

“Horse Chestnut”

Location: The Rail Park - Philadelphia, PA

The Horse Chestnut is not actually a Chestnut at all, but rather is a species of Buckeye. It is known for its blooms and the bright color of its leaves in fall. This tree is often planted in parks and gardens as an accent. Although considered an invasive species in some parts of North America, the wild population of Horse Chestnut has been considered under threat of endangerment since 2017. 

Solar Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness Zones: 6-10

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, clay, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Viburnum nudum

Possuhum Viburnum

Location: The Rail Park - Philadelphia, PA

The Possumhaw Viburnum is a deciduous shrub native to North America. This shrub is often found growing in bogs and wet woods. It blooms fragrant white flowers in the spring and its leaves take on a yellow/crimson gradient in the fall.

Solar Exposure: Full sun

Hardiness Zones: 5-9

Preferred Soil: Loam, clay, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to neutral

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Itea virginica

Virginia Sweetspire

Location: The Rail Park - Philadelphia, PA

The Virginia Sweetspire is a perrennial shrub that grows to a height of 8 feet and a spread of 5 feet. It is known for its bright crimson fall color. In the spring it blooms white to cream colored flowers. It is also known to grow and spread in colonies.

Solar Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness Zones: 5-9

Preferred Soil: Loam, clay; well drained; slightly acidic

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Platanus occidentialis

“American Sycamore”

Location: The Rail Park - Philadelphia, PA

The American Sycamore is perhaps notable for its size. This majestic tree can reach heights of 75-100 feet and its trunk is larger than other native tree, with diameters measuring up to 15 feet. It is often planted to provide shade and rest spots and is adaptable to all types of climates.

Solar Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Magnolia virginiana

“Sweetbay Magnolia”

Location: Fort Washington, PA

The Sweetbay Magnolia was the first species of Magnolia to be described by botanists. This variety is grown as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks, both for its showy fall color and fragrant vanilla scent.

Solar Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness Zones: 5-10

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to neutral

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Maclura pomifera

“Osage Orange”

Location: Fort Washington, PA

Despite its name, the Osage Orange is only distantly related to the orange that we know and love in the United States. Native to a small area of the southern US around the Red River in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas, it is often used as a hedge becaus of its ability to grow 3-7 feet in a single year.

Solar Exposure: Full sun

Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Pyrus calleryana

“Callery Pear”

Location: Phoenixville, PA

Callery Pear is a species of pear tree that is native to China and Vietnam. While its pears are not fit for human consumption (although birds love them), it is often planted as an ornamental tree for its flowers in the spring and its vibrant fall color. The Bradford pear is a popular cultivar of the Callery Pear in the United States, so much so that it has become an invasive species.

Solar Exposure: Full sun

Hardiness Zones: 5-9

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, clay, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Ligustrum vulgare

“Wild Privet”

Location: Charlestown, PA

Although Wild Privet is an ornamental shrub, it is now considered an invasive species in the Americas, Australia and New Zealand. Its decorative flowers produce an unpleasant smell. The fruits of the Wild Privet are toxic to humans but tasty for many birds, which is one of the reasons it is able to spread so readily.

Solar Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness Zones: 8-10

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Picea abies

“Norway Spruce”

Location: Charlestown, PA

The Norway Spruce is an evergreen native to Europe that is often cultivated for its wood. Not only does it boast the largest cones among spruces, but its wood is also favored for making musical instruments because of its tonality. The Norway Spruce is also used widely as a Christmas tree.

Solar Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness Zones: 2-5

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to neutral

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Taxus canadensis

“Canada Yew”

Location: Charlestown, PA

The Canada Yew is a conifer native to North America. Shorter and less dense than its cousin the English Yew, this evergreen shrub is known to form colonies in its immediate area.

Solar Exposure: Partial to full shade

Hardiness Zones: 2-6

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Euonymus alatus

“Burning Bush”

Location: Phoenixville, PA

The burning bush, a species of Spindle, is an ornamental shrub notable for the fiery palette of fall foliage from which it gets its name. Although the photographs above are of a burning bush growing wild, they are often used in parks and gardens because of their vibrant color.

Solar Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness Zones: 4-8

Preferred Soil: Chalky, loam, clay, sand; well drained; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)

[standonecology]

Rhododendron japonica

“Variegated Japanese Azalea”

Location: My home in Charlestown, PA

The Japanese Azalea is a small shrub that provides bushy growth and blooms large vibrant flowers in the spring. Used mainly for ornamental purposes this plant keeps its leaves all year round. The variegated variety pictured here stands out for the lighter outlining of the leaves.

Solar Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness Zones: 6-9

Preferred Soil: Loam, sand; well drained; slightly acidic

(Source: PictureThis Plant ID app)