Rich reds and bronzes are wonderful autumn colours. The autumn trees which most people think of for colour are liquidambars and claret ash. Peter Valder recently visited Merry Garth in Mt Wilson, NSW, which is full of autumn colour with bronzes, rich rusts and lime greens. Some vibrantly coloured shrubs which are quite unusual include: Fothergilla major (Mountain witch hazel) – a low growing shrub to 3m (10′) with glossy dark green leaves. These turn yellow, orange or crimson in autumn. Scented brush-like spikes of blush pink flowers appear in spring and again in autumn.
Enkianthus chinensis (Bell-flower) – this shrub grows to around 2.5-3.5m (8′-11′). It has bright green leaves and drooping creamy-yellow flowers. In autumn the leaves turn golden.
Enkianthus perulatus – this deciduous shrub is a lower growing form of Enkianthus which reaches between 90cm and 2m (3′-6′). The bright green foliage changes to yellow and scarlet during autumn. Clusters of white to greenish-white bell-shaped flowers appear during spring.
Availability
Fothergilla major is available in 17-20cm (7-8″) pots for around $20. Enkianthus chinensis and Enkianthus perulatus are sold in 17-20cm (7-8″) pots for around $17. Enkianthus chinensis and Fothergilla majorare available at the Merry Garth Nursery. Merry Garth Nursery
Davies Lane
Mount Wilson, NSW, 2786
Phone: (02) 4756 2121
The gardens and nursery are open 9am-5pm daily during April, May, September, October and November, or by appointment.
They are also available from the following specialist nurseries:
NSW
Quindalup Specialist Nursery
Sproules Lane
Bowral, 2576
Phone: (02) 4887 1254
Retail and mail order
VIC
Dicksonia Rare Plants
341 Mt Macedon Road
Mt Macedon, 3441
Phone: (03) 5426 3075
Retail nursery only
Open 10am-5pm daily except Wednesday and Thursday.
Yamina Rare Plants
25 Moores Road
Monbulk, 3793
Phone: (03) 9752 0035
Open 8am-4.30pm weekdays and 1pm-4.30pm weekends.
Retail and mail order Enkianthus perulatus is available from Dicksonia Rare Plants and:
Woodbank Nursery
2040 Huon Road
Longley, TAS, 7150
Phone: (03) 6239 6452
Retail and mail order
Plant finder
Some of these plants may be new to many gardeners and a new book by Margaret Hibbert helps you to locate these and many other plants throughout south-eastern Australia.
The Aussie Plant Finder 1997/98 by Margaret Hibbert (Florilegium, 1997). ISBN 0958649898. Contact your local bookstore or Florilegium on (02) 9555 8589. Rrp $19.95.