by Derek Fell
During my travels, whenever I tell people that I live in Bucks County, the reaction is usually: “What a beautiful place to live.” Indeed, the entire state of Pennsylvania has that reputation. What I especially like about our area is the dramatic change of seasons—cool springs and vibrant-green new growth from unfurling leaves; hot summers with a lush, mint-green foliage canopy and enough sunshine to ripen melons to perfection in my vegetable garden; cold winters with reliable snowfall that can tint the landscape like icing sugar; even ice storms that can turn bare tree branches into crystal chandeliers. But of all the seasons fall is my favorite, when leaves turn hot colors of red, orange and yellow and the countryside seems to be ablaze.\
Fall (autumn) is such a visually exciting time of year for me, I make it a point to visit area gardens noted for good fall color (especially the Morris Arboretum, Longwood Gardens and Chanticleer). A visit to Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is not to be missed for I never saw such an intense fall display as occurs along Pidcock Creek, at the heart of the preserve. In particular check out their paw paw trees, a Pennsylvania native that produces yellow fruit shaped liked a mango in fall, and a custard-like interior that tastes like a banana. As a bonus, its spear-shaped leaves turn buttercup yellow.
In my own garden at Cedaridge Farm I have planted special perennials, trees and shrubs noted for intense russet colors. Several bridges on my property are even painted barn red because I consider it the very best color to harmonize with the colors of fall, and a good contrast for the greens of spring and summer.
To create a stunning effect in your own garden look at your landscape as three levels of interest: the skyline or leaf canopy, the ground level where ground-covers and low growing perennials can thrive, and the intermediate area between, from knee high to head height that allows us to fill our entire field of vision with color.
To finish reading this article, go to page 116 in the Fall 2011 issue of Bucks County Magazine.