Telegraph e-paper

CAN WE EXPECT SPECTACULAR DISPLAYS OF AUTUMN COLOUR

THIS YEAR?

Though many leaves have already turned yellow and dropped as a result of the prolonged dry weather, vibrant autumn hues on remaining leaves later in the season are still likely to show with favourable weather conditions in October. As Andrew Smith, director of Forestry England’s National Arboretum at Westonbirt in Gloucestershire, explains: “If we experience some spells of rain in the coming weeks and continue to experience above average temperatures, the conditions would be right for maintaining sugar levels. This means that the leaves will stay attached to trees for longer and will have time to develop their autumnal shades.

The length of display relies heavily on the weather throughout autumn. If it is mild, the leaves will have time for the build-up of chlorophyll to entirely fade and their dormant pigments to fully take over. I like to think of autumn as a firework display that rolls on with different colours appearing over several weeks. Climate change means that display is now being extended by days and weeks.”

Red alert: Westonbirt Arboretum offers visitors a ‘firework display’ of colour

GARDENING

en-gb

2022-10-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-10-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://dailytelegraph.pressreader.com/article/281754158203654

Daily Telegraph