Edible Plants for Colorful Fall Foliage
Good landscape design considers how the garden will look during different times of the year and plans for seasonal interest. For edible landscapes, there are many fruitful plants that will add spectacular fall color as fruit ripens and their leaves change color. Here are some of my favorite fruit trees and edible plants for adding interest to the autumn garden:
Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) trees are one of the best fruit trees for adding brilliant foliage to the fall landscape. Not only do their leaves turn beautiful shades of orange and red, their tasty cheerful fruit hangs on late into the year as well. If you have the space, try planting multiple varieties of persimmon trees for an extended harvest, greater array of color and improved cross-pollination. Or, use grafting to cultivate multiple varieties on a single tree!
Pomegranates (Punica granatum) are great for gardens of any size as they can be kept as small trees or shrubs. You can even espalier pomegranates or grow them in containers! Their leaves turn bright yellow and orange before falling. Bright red or pink pomegranate fruits look like merry ornaments amongst the colorful leaves. Pomegranate trees are also very drought tolerant.
Pawpaw trees (Asimina triloba) are native to the Eastern United States and Canada, but they grow well in many parts of California as well. These small trees have lovely golden foliage in the fall. Plant a few varieties to encourage cross-pollination and enjoy the tropical tasting fruits.
Walnut (Juglans spp.) trees are wonderful if you have the space to plant them. Both the California Walnut (pictured) and the English Walnut have bright yellow foliage before losing their leaves for the winter.
Grape (Vitis spp.) vines will add brilliant fall color to a trellis, fence, arbor or wherever they climb. Different varieties will turn hues of gold, orange or red. Roger’s Red is a hybrid California variety that has a gorgeous red autumn hue. Tip: when pruning your grape vines, save the trimmings to make seasonal wreaths!
Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is a wonderful slender fruit tree to add to your landscape. Its leaves turn yellow before falling. Plant several varieties together for increased fruit production.
Mulberries (Morus spp.) are a wonderfully tasty fruit. While most mulberry trees are quite large, some smaller dwarf varieties are available for more compact gardens. Their pretty heart-shaped leaves turn pale yellow in the fall.
Many pear (Pyrus spp.) trees will turn bright yellow or orange in the fall. Responding well to pruning, they can fit in most gardens.
Tree Tomato (Solanum betaceum), also known as Tamarillo and Tomate de árbol, is the only evergreen plant I have on this list, keeping its foliage throughout the year. Commonly grown in Colombia and Ecuador, it also grows well in coastal California. It has bright orange or red fruits that start to ripen in the fall and often hold through the winter, looking like classic holiday lights. New leaves will also often appear in our rainy fall season with colorful splashes of red and purple in the new leaves.
The leaves of many stone fruit (Prunus spp.) trees, such as cherries, plum, apricots and peaches, will turn yellow or orange before dropping for their dormant season. Plant your favorite stone fruit trees that do well in your climate for a canopy of fall color in your garden.
Contact Earth Design Gardens for more colorful edible landscape ideas. We can help design your garden for year-round interest.