Shining Bright, a Quick Autumn Stroll

From tip to tip the Rose Kennedy Greenway offers a huge variety of fall colors and textures. Starting in late September and stretching nearly into December, a full spectrum of colors are on show. Gold, burgundy, orange, copper, bronze, yellow and full-on red are everywhere – from small-leaved shrubs to our tallest trees.

Hydrangea ‘Lady in Red’ with fall leaf color

In the North end, early in the season, you will see the Gleditsea tricanthos (Honey Locust) turn a luminous yellow gold. The Fraxinus americana ‘Junginger” (White Ash) take on dark burnt tones – burnished copper to mahogany. The maples come later – in oranges and reds depending on whim and  weather.

Quercus rubra

Brilliant leaves of Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum)

The Wharf Distract Parks are the stars right now. Full of golds and oranges, and buffered by the blooming blues of the asters and soft glowing grasses, this is the best place for a taste of fall color. The native Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum) is on fire with shiny, blushed red and bright yellow leaves. We also benefit from the gold and yellow backdrop of a neighboring landscape, making our trees and textured layers stand out even more.

The Wharf District park in the autumn with a ‘borrowed’ backdrop

Nyssa sylvatica with Asters and Solidago (goldenrod) in the center of the Wharf District