Fall’s Here: Identify Those Colorful Leaves

Here in San Francisco, I’m resisting the arrival of fall. We’ve had some of our warmest days of the year in the last two weeks, and I’m sticking with sandals until I can’t get away with it any longer.

For most of the Northern Hemisphere, however, autumn is underway. Here, as inspiration for what’s to come–and to help you identify the turning leaves you’re spotting–images of Autumn Leaves from our Photo Gallery.

Above: Photograph by Marie Viljoen.

Love their red color but have no clue what they are? Use a gardener-vetted leaf-identifier app. Read more in DIY: Identify Leaves and Flowers (There’s an App for That).

Above: Photograph by Kendra Wilson. A rain-soaked Acer palmatum ‘Elegans Purpureum’ hangs over the garden path at Batsford, an elegant gothic estate in Gloucestershire. Get the rest of the damp tour in A Gothic Garden Visit, Courtesy of the Mitfords.

Above: Photograph by Janet Hall.

Make your own Leaf Mold–a prized soil amendment with a rather unfortunate name. It’s an easy compost to make, best left to rot alone. Learn how in Transforming Leaves from Trash to Treasure.

Above: Photograph via Matilija Nursery. Wild grape vines can grow as high as 100 feet and will cling to any surface they encounter along the way.

Above: In his book, New York City of Trees, writer/photographer Benjamin Swett chronicled this Callery pear through four seasons. View more of Swett’s favorite trees in Required Reading: New York City of Trees by Benjamin Swett.

Visit more Gardenista galleries, full of romantic Floral Arrangements; Spanish-Inspired spaces; and our favorite Decks & Patios.