According to the Roanoke Times, the best time for fall foliage viewing this year will be mid to late October. It’s the perfect season to take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, stop for lunch at a favorite spot, or go for a hike to soak in the beauty of our region.
You can also bring some of that stunning fall color home with these favorite plants known for their brilliant autumn foliage:
- Red Maple – Many cultivars, such as ‘Brandywine’ and ‘Red October’, have been selected for their exceptional fall color.
- ‘Wildfire’ Tupelo – Brilliant reds and oranges make this tree a standout each fall. Its modest size makes it a good fit for many home landscapes.
- ‘Mount Airy’ Fothergilla – A shrub that shines in every season: gently fragrant white bottlebrush flowers in spring, a tidy form with clean foliage in summer, and yellow, orange, and red leaves in fall. It grows 4–5 feet tall and wide, spreading gradually by suckers that can be removed as needed.
- Bottlebrush Buckeye – Clear yellow foliage glows in both sun and shade on this large shrub, which grows 6-12 feet tall and wide. Long white bottlebrush flowers appear in spring. Give it plenty of room to spread and thrive.
- Dogwood – Known for its white spring blooms, the dogwood is also one of the first trees to show fall color, turning a rich burgundy. Look for disease-resistant cultivars like ‘Appalachian Spring’.
- ‘Winterthur’ Viburnum – Growing 5–6 feet tall and slightly narrower in width, this shrub offers white flowers in spring, glossy green foliage in summer, and burgundy leaves in fall accented by berries that transition from pink to blue.
- ‘Blackhawks’ Big Bluestem – Fall color isn’t just for trees and shrubs! This native grass reaches 4–5 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide, featuring purple-tinged foliage in summer that turns bright burgundy in fall.
- ‘Standing Ovation’ Little Bluestem – With blue-green summer foliage that turns a rosy hue in fall, this compact grass (3-4 feet tall and about 2 feet wide) fits beautifully into most gardens.
Wherever you choose to enjoy the season — on a mountain trail or in your own backyard — take time to appreciate the incredible palette of fall color our region has to offer.
