Gardener's Corner: Florida Fall Color

By Amber Yates, Horticulture Technician I and Jennifer Dambrose, Senior Horticulture Technician

Autumn is presented as the season of color when the leaves change and fall. However, northeastern Florida’s sub-tropical climate prevents the expected changes associated with the season. Florida gardens in autumn might surprise you with what they’re capable of. For Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, our autumn begins in September and runs through December. After summer provided us with colorful flowers and greenery, the gardens are getting ready to transition to their next large display. Many stages of a plant's life cycle are present during this season including leaf color changes, blooming and fruiting. Rather than forests of changing colors, Florida has splashes of orange and red across green canopies. Many different shades of red are presented by Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum), Red Maple (Acer rubrum), and Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis). Yellows and browns are displayed by Sycamore trees (Platanus occidentalis).

Blooms are usually associated with spring but fall blooms bring multiple elements to any scenery. There are a few types of grasses that bloom and go to seed from late summer to mid-fall such as Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris). Its bloom provides a pink to purple fluffy plume that brings texture and softness to any landscape.

Muhly grass on lower left hand side

Florida autumn shows off every stage of life for plants, including fruit. Beautyberries (Callicarpa americana) spend the summer producing insignificant blooms to display full clusters of berries with colors ranging from magenta to white depending on the species. Lastly, the produce Florida is most well-known for, citrus, makes its debut. The trees grow clusters of yellow grapefruit and bright juicy oranges ready to pick.

Florida has splashes of orange and red across green canopies.

While Florida’s fall may look a little different from the rest of the country, we are not missing out on a display of new colors. As the days get shorter, spend as much time as you can observing the unique autumn diversity.

Beautyberries