How Leaves Change Color in Fall
Very soon, we will be enjoying autumn's big show! Foliage will begin changing colors, and here at the nursery, we always love seeing the deciduous plants show off their fall colors. But how do leaves change color at this time of the year?
one of our tree fields here at Riverbend Nurseries
Leaves change color in fall due to the breakdown of chlorophyll (which is what makes leaves green). As chlorophyll breaks down, it allows other pigments of color within the leaves to become visible. Reduced light (as the days shorten), cooler temperatures, less water, and a lack of nutrients in plants are all a natural part of fall's arrival. These changes signal to the plant to slow down and then stop producing chlorophyll.
Carotenoids are the yellows, oranges, and in some cases, browns that we see in fall. These foliage colors are actually present all year but aren't visible due to the chlorophyll (which makes the leaves green). Carotenoids help protect against too much light and also help with photosynthesis.
Anthocyanins, which are the reds, purples, and dark oranges, are usually new colors that show up in fall due to sugars trapped in the foliage. We often see these colors show up more brilliantly when we have sunny autumn days and cool, but not freezing, nights.
Add more autumnal color in your garden:
