Those gently falling jewels

After months of arid glare, nothing could be sweeter than autumn. Nights grow long and chilly, and dissolve, most mornings, into dew. Then, presto! Like magic, exceptional plants assert themselves in harvest hues of gold, pumpkin, berry, wheat and wine.

Our recent early cold snap induced stunning displays of color. Granted, our best is spotty, and pales when compared with New England, where great colonies of trees fire up the autumn sky. This year, though, plants throughout the local landscape, from the mountains to the sea, have been causing quite a stir.

Regrettably, our most conspicuous tree for fall color, American sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), is a poor choice for gardens -- a thuggish species from the eastern U.S. with brittle limbs, spiny seed pods and roots that lift sidewalks and driveways.

“In the language of arboriculture” says Teresa Prosciewicz, principal forester for the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, “it should not be used in areas where people, cars or structures could be ‘targets.’ ”

Prosciewicz sees better options, such as maidenhair tree (Gingko biloba), with distinctive fan-shaped foliage. “One of the best for all environments, cold or hot, and the roots are not invasive. The only drawback: It’s slow growing.” Still, she adds, people stare in awe at the yellow trees against the clear blue sky, and the leaves hold on for a particularly long time before dropping en masse.

Rows of luminous ginkgos are stopping traffic in Eagle Rock, along Eagle Rock Boulevard, for at least a mile. And five especially lovely trees can be seen in Los Angeles at South Park, at Avalon Boulevard and 50th Street.

Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) is another adaptable species. Following a crisp night, its long narrow leaflets switch to vivid orange and scarlet. Watch for this midsize tree along streets and highways (and in the Van Nuys Costco parking lot, where they are mercilessly cut back each winter after leaf drop.)

The San Fernando Valley, Prosciewicz notes, is studded with round-headed butter-yellow ‘Modesto’ ash (Fraxinus velutina).

She urges gardeners to explore regional parks.

“It’s good to breathe the air of the fall. Venture out onto the trails. You’ll enjoy the colors so much more.”

A rich mix of trees and shrubs is peaking at Balboa and Woodley parks in the Sepulveda Dam Basin. The natural corridor of sloping western sycamores (Platanus racemosa) in the Arroyo Seco along the 110 Freeway from Avenue 60 to Avenue 43 is always beautiful.

And this week, Prosciewicz adds, there are “red-headed” bald cypress on Stadium Way in Elysian Park, along Glendale Boulevard in Echo Park, and on the island in Hollenbeck Park.

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower,” wrote Albert Camus. Indeed, groves and thickets in full fall color are as radiant as daffodils or poppies in the field.

Jorge Ochoa, senior gardener and a member of Prosciewicz’s staff, reports that the walnut woodland (Juglans californica californica) at Debs Park is “just magnificent -- bright yellow.” In an earlier account from Hansen Dam Park, he describes the American white ash (Fraxinus americana) as “really incredible.”

Tree and shrub crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) have had a standout season all over town, with quarter-sized leaves in glowing yellow, orange, russet and red.

Landscape designer Kathy Glascock uses many of the mildew-proof hybrids introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum for their “beautiful flowers, gorgeous leaves and great trunk structure.”

Her favorite seasonal tree, though, is Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki). “The leaves are semitranslucent, like watercolors, orangey-pink and yellow with a bit of green still left on the edges. Eventually the whole canopy goes into gold before dropping.

“A soft carpet of leaves feels like fall,” Glascock says. “And when they drop, the garden is less rambunctious. The presence of the evergreens is enhanced. You get a feel for the larger structure of the garden, a stronger, more grounded relationship with the spaces.”

For a ground cover suitable for baking sun or part shade, Glascock recommends dwarf plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides). “It goes down for the winter, of course, but the bronze foliage and blue flowers are wonderful.”

For foliage that persists, she likes two tough evergreens: creeping barberry (Mahonia repens), a native spreader with bluish leaves that splotch red and pink in cool weather; and any variety of heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica).

N. ‘Fire Power’ in the Pasadena landscape of Linda Pomerance has taken on a sizzling tinge. Like all nandinas, the 2-foot-tall ground cover is drought-tolerant and virtually maintenance free.

When building an autumn landscape, Glascock adds grassy plants for texture and movement, and seed and fruit for birds and other wildlife.

Both she and Pomerance, who teaches garden design at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, use non-invasive native deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) and dwarf fountain grass (Pennisetum ‘Eaton Canyon’).

By autumn, the seed heads on California buckwheat (Eriogonum species) darken to rust or chocolate brown. Long-stemmed St. Catherine’s lace (E. giganteum) is especially fine for cutting.

Ornamental grapes yield exceptional foliage and tiny fruit to boot. Wall-clinging Boston ivy (Parthenocissus species) and varieties of California wild grape (Vitis californica ‘Roger’s Red’ and ‘Russian River’) are sensational this year.

Rose hips impart wildness to a garden in transition. Rugosa roses, as a group and including the hybrid ‘Blanc Double de Coubert,’ are noted for large tomato-colored fruit.

While most hips are red, round and apple-like, Clair G. Martin III of the Huntington Botanical Gardens says some are really interesting. The splendid climbing rose ‘Altissimo’ produces big orange hips that are fluted like pumpkins. Others are tiny and black or pinched at the waist like little flagons.

For fall berries, few plants can beat rose-related toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), a sizable shrub or small tree from our local hills and canyons. Its qualities include dark evergreen foliage and branch-end clusters of dazzling red fruit. Plant one, and the birds will surely come.

Prosciewicz says the toyon fruit in Griffith and Elysian parks are coloring up nicely, along with the shiny rust and ruby foliage of poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum).

“It’s astounding how beautiful that plant is -- if you have an area that gets no traffic, it is just spectacular!” she says.

This year, fall came early and with gusto to wild city spaces and cultivated home gardens, and the plants have more to share as the cool season progresses.

“It’s nice just to walk around the neighborhood and see what’s happening,” Pomerance says. “Each day, something else has put on a little color.”

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Color to take the chill off

For superb fall color without all the hassles, consider this gallery of trees, shrubs, ground covers and more. For ideas to kick off a blazing show, tour regional parks that have a rich mix of trees and shrubs.

California Wild Grape (Vitis californica ‘Roger’s Red’) A powerful vine that needs space and support. One of the best for color, with intense orange to red to burgundy foliage. Birds love the fruit. Deciduous.

Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), above, and California Black Oak (Q. kelloggii) Big trees for large gardens only. Pin oak tolerates summer water; the native needs a drier spot.

Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba) Tall, pyramidal growth. Unique fan-shaped leaves turn yellow or gold then drop en masse. Exquisite when planted in small groves.

Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Deciduous shrubs and small trees, including disease-resistant hybrids, with displays of gold, orange and red foliage -- especially good this year.

Rose Hips As a group, rugosa roses are famous for their hips. Climbing ‘Fourth of July’, above, and ‘Altissimo’ are also good producers.

Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica) Ubiquitous evergreen shrubs and ground covers -- for good reason. Fall tints range from rust to crimson to purple. Berries are a seasonal bonus.

Creeping Barberry (Mahonia repens) Durable native ground cover for dry shade. Following a chill, the leaves take on a pinkish-bronze cast. Evergreen.

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia; also known as California Holly) A large shrub or small tree, with heavy clusters of lustrous red berries and handsome evergreen foliage.

Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica; also called Sour Gum or Pepperidge) A tree with reddish bark and outrageous yellow, orange and red fall color. Deciduous.

Chinese Plumbago (Ceratostigma willmottianum) A small, wiry shrub with red and yellow autumn foliage. Dwarf Plumbago, C. plumbaginoides, is a low spreader with bronze fall color.

Chinese Tallow Tree (Sapium sebiferum) Rounded crown of shimmering foliage that converts to gold, orange, red and purple in autumn. Deciduous.

St. Catherine’s Lace (Eriogonum giganteum) Long-stemmed flower heads turn chocolate brown by

autumn -- stunning against the evergreen gray foliage.

-- Lili Singer