Gratuitous baby photo: Lila in the leaves, 6 months old.
The autumn colours are pretty spectacular in the Pacific Northwest this year (at least by PNW standards). Sure, normally we get a few weeks of pretty leaves, but it’s nothing compared to the show back east. Which made me wonder: what makes fall colours more vibrant from one year to another?
Autumn colours at Trout Lake, East Vancouver…
As I suspected, it’s all in the weather. Chlorophyll, the chemical compound that makes leaves appear green, disappears fastest during an autumn with dry, sunny days and cool nights, exposing the leaves’ orange and yellow pigments. Dry weather concentrates sugar production, which brings out the red.
…and on my back patio. (‘Fireglow’ Japanese maple.)
That explains it. We’ve had an uncharacteristically sunny, cold autumn. So next time we have our usual ho-hum fall colour? I’ll just blame it on the rain.
nawlins dawlin says
beautiful baby and color of the leaves changing. we don’t see that here really, they either stay green or fall off. :) good post!
Andrea Bellamy says
Nawlins – Thanks! No fall colour in New Orleans? At least you can grow those gorgeous bromeliads!
Dee/reddirtramblings says
I was doing some research for an article this week and learned this. I didn’t know it before. The photos are wonderful. I especially love seeing your sweet baby. The ‘Fireglow’ Japanese maple is wonderful too, but can’t outshine your baby’s smile.~~Dee
Kim Tillyer says
I found your blog via Delightful blogs. I live in Northern England, we also don’t really get such bright colours in the Autumn, though it is beautiful here. Vancouver looks like a great place…my boyfriend is due to spend some time there next year and I’m wishing I could visit too!I will read this again, happy gardening!
Andrea Bellamy says
Dee – aawwww! Thanks, you’re too kind. Re: the ‘Fireglow’ maple, I’m so glad its fall colour is amazing, because when I first bought it, it was like this year-round. Later, only its new growth glowed like, well, fire, and I was disappointed. But the fall colour certainly is WOW!
Kim – Northern England is beautiful; I have spent some time there. I think the climate is actually quite similar to Vancouver. I hope your boyfriend enjoys his trip! Try to join him if you can :)