Pam’s Plant Picks: Fall Blooming Trees for Western Washington

Today we are introducing a new recurring series featuring seasonal plant picks by West Seattle garden expert Pam Jones.  

Finding trees to bridge the gap between summer and fall can be challenging.  Home & Garden Seattle talked with local garden expert Pam Jones, who shared with us two fall blooming trees that are in full display right now: 

Albizia julibrissin rosea (Mimosa or silk tree) - This lovely tree features palmate leaves, which look like tiny palm fronds or ferns, with stunning displays of pink flowers that begin in summer and continue through the fall, and can give your garden a fun, tropical touch.  The Mimosa tree can grow up to 20 feet (although Jones has seen it grow even higher locally) and 12 to 20 feet wide, so be sure to leave adequate space to accommodate its mature size, she advises.

Clerodendrum trichotomum (Harlequin Glorybower) - This late summer to mid autumn blooming deciduous shrub or small tree features clusters of fragrant white flowers with scarlet sepals that are set off by the emerald green velvety leaves.  Flowers are followed by bright blue berries.  This year, Jones says she has seen Glorybowers that started blooming in mid July and are still going strong right now.  

Both trees are tropical.  For underplanting the Mimosa tree, Jones suggests the Mutabilis (Confederate rose) that echoes the colors in the Mimosa tree flowers. Banana plants are also nice, although you need to wrap or move indoors during winter because they are not hardy here in the Pacific Northwest, she says, as well as pink varieties of Canna,Dahlias or Hibiscus.  

If you want to add either of these trees to your garden, Jones says now is also a great time to do so, to take advantage of the upcoming rainy season to establish roots over the winter.   All so you can better enjoy your own display of these lovely blooming trees next season!

Images Source: Pam Jones