Many California native plants go summer deciduous, or they change the color of their leaves in summer - for example, from grayish green to whitish gray. But a few plants offer a spectacular show in the fall, before dropping their leaves and coming back with bright green in early spring.
Above Aristolochia californica (dutchman's pipe) with its big heart-shaped leaves is always one of my favorites. Even in this dry fall, the leaves did not just crinkle and turn brown but they've turned a showy gold.
I've also been very happy with an Acer circinatum (vine maple) that I received as a gift. After two little maples I'd tried in a put had died - or maybe they were half dead when I bought them - this one, which I put in the ground under the redwoods, has done well and is delightful with the golden leaves.
I especially like the transition.
For a little bit of red, I have my Ribes sanguinium, which have a very short dormant period - often, the first green leaves appear in January, and the beautiful flowers soon after. But right now, they fill the garden with color.
Again, the transition is especially fun to look at.
My native rhododendron (Rhododendron occidentale) is not blooming too impressively, but the show of fall color and the big green leaves make this shade lover a welcome guest in my garden.
I saw a 30 year old specimen in bloom in the San Francisco Botanical Garden a while ago, and I'm dreaming of a similar show - but for now, I'm happy with a plant that can hold its own in the very dry year that we've had.
My final photo is not of leaves, but of fall color nonetheless. Here's Heteromeles arbutifolius (toyon) 'Davis Gold', with its golden berries. Every year it's a little better - and after a few disappointments in the garden this year, I'm happy about this encouragement to carry on.
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