Let it GLOW MGA

Light up your garden with changing leaf colours

Hidden beauty

Shorter days and cold nights are the twin triggers for autumn's leafy extravaganza. As the green pigment (chlorophyll) in a deciduous leaf breaks down, it reveals red, yellow and orange compounds underneath, and ushers in a shifting kaleidoscope of colour. Enrich your garden by growing plants that don the richest of autumn overcoats, from resplendent trees to jewel-like herbaceous perennials.

Triumphant trees

Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica) is an autumn triumph, transitioning from green to crimson, plum and copper.

'Vanessa' (H3-7m x S4-5m) has a slimmer profile than most ironwoods. Grow it in sun to encourage the brightest For a sheltered site with dappled shade, choose a Japanese acer, such as 'Viridis' (H2m x S3m), with soft mounds of lacy green foliage that morphs into molten copper and gold, or 'Seiryu' (H4.5m x S4m), a warm, buttery yellow.