California Sun Shines on LA County
The California Sun loves California Fall Color, as we do it.
California Sun editor Mike McPhate reminded readers of the beauty to be found at the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden – which we suggest as a perfect destination on Orange Friday (the day following Thanksgiving Day) – much better’n a mall.
Ready for Turkey Day
These turkeys won’t be consumed on Thanksgiving Day, even though the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens will be open.
Frank McDonough shares these plates of autumn color in preparation for our national day of thanks and fellowship.
- LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (482′) – Patchy (10 – 50%)
A Slow Boil
Peak develops like a slow boil in Los Angeles County. After it has come and gone elsewhere in California, it begins to bubble down south.
Presently, peak is 20 to 30% at the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia, reports Frank McDonough.
Among the more colorful specimens to enjoy are confetti-like Western redbud, fluorescent Chinese pistache, American elm that drip with gold, tawny chocolate persimmon and red hot California grape.
- LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (482′) – Patchy (10 – 50%)
Evolution
Walkers and photographers visited the day Frank McDonough took these pics. The Arboretum is a late November peak and it appears to be progressing toward that. It’s a bellweather for other arboretums in Southern California. So, plan your visits based on what you see here and if you’re trying to decide on the right tree or foliage to add fall color to your garden, this month is the time to visit them.
- Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden (482′) – Patchy (10 – 50%)
San Gabriel Glory
The San Gabriel Mountains surrounding Jackson Lake are near full glory, reports Gary Skipper.
Gary explored paths around the lake and past campgrounds finding the color to be vibrant and the weather inviting.
He found a particularly illuminated tree in Wrightwood, where desert Joshua Trees live beside Fremont cottonwood and was thrilled to encounter foxes, squirrels, chipmunks and deer out enjoying the autumn sun.
- San Gabriel Mountains (5,900’) – Near Peak (50 – 75%), Go Now.
Blazing in LA County
When our anchor leg runner starts stripping sweats, we know the end of autumn lies ahead. And, California Fall Color’s anchor runner is LA County.
No more beautiful place in LA County to see diverse and vivid autumn color is found than at its Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia.
So, when the Arboretum’s doyen of autumn sent his first photo today, I thought, “What! Already?”
It was received earlier than expected, though Frank McDonough’s selection was not unexpected. This year’s early dresser, like the Hollywood star it is, likes to upstage all the other trees and plants at the Arboretum. Blaze Autumn, a Freeman’s maple loves to put on the Ritz in bold crimson and brash orange. If Blaze was a Hollywood celebrity walking a red carpet, the carpet would look up in envy.
Other plants at the Arboretum pretend to be as colorful as Blaze, but they never compare … at least as far as upstaging goes.
- The LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (482′) – Just Starting (0 – 10%)
Azusa Splash
Steve Shinn was exploring the San Gabriel River this past week when to his surprise a splash of remnant peak color brightened the stream above Azusa. He returned to Long Beach finding Anna’s hummingbirds also brightening his yard.
- San Gabriel River – Past Peak, You Missed It.
Something to Crow About
When you are the last beautiful entry in a glorious parade, you have something to strut and crow about.
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is that last entry. December is its peak. However, fall color has begun to rain upon the parade, as Past Peak approaches.
Throughout the arboretum, once-gloriously-colored trees are dropping their leaves. There is still beauty to be seen, for sure, but it is nearing its end.
South Africa Section, LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/10/20) Frank McDonough Chinese pistache, LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/10/20) Frank McDonough LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/10/20) Frank McDonough LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/10/20) Frank McDonough LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/10/20) Frank McDonough LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/10/20) Frank McDonough LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/10/20) Frank McDonough LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/10/20) Frank McDonough San Gabriel Mountains, South African section, LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/10/20) Frank McDonough Chinese pistache (Sarah’s Radiance), LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/10/20) Frank McDonough Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/10/20) Frank McDonough
Sarah’s Radiance Chinese pistache and gingko biloba retain the most color. Though, winter bloomers, such as South African red aloe, the happy trills of songbirds and sharp calls of peacocks are accenting the entertainment.
- LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (171′) – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, You Almost Missed It.
One Left
One, lone, peaking sycamore remained at Malibu Creek State Park when Elliot McGucken – moved by its forlorn solitude – memorialized these last days of autumn, proving – as Philip Reedy demonstrated in the previous post – that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.
- Malibu Creek State Park (450′) – Past Peak, You Missed It.