Deciduous plants
Leaves falling to the ground in autumn
Deciduous comes from the Latin cadere, meaning to fall. A deciduous tree, shrub or plant loses its foliage. In temperate climates, this occurs in late autumn and early winter. In tropical and subtropical regions, it often occurs during the dry season.
Leaf fall (or abscission) enables plants to limit their energy expenditure when weather conditions become unfavorable (lower or higher temperatures, reduced luminosity, drought, etc.). Trees and deciduous plants focus on their roots, trunk, stem and branches, to the detriment of their foliage. To do this, they form a thick layer at the base of the petioles. The sap can no longer feed the leaf blades. As a result, the leaf dries out and falls off.
Abscission is generally preceded by a change in leaf color. Green in spring and summer, it turns yellow, brown, purple or ochre before the leaves fall off. This phenomenon is due to a reduction in chlorophyll and green pigments in the leaf blades.
When circumstances become favorable again (longer daylight hours, higher temperatures, return of rain...), new foliage grows. On a deciduous tree or plant, all the leaves are the same age, or nearly so. They are renewed at the same time.
Some deciduous plants
If you want to enjoy the colors of autumn in your garden, plant deciduous trees such as ficus carica, oak, plane, maple, birch or chestnut. Some species, such as cherry, plum or shrimp willow, also offer spring flowering.
Despite your best care, your Chinese Glycine, cosmos, hydrangeas and jasmine are losing all their leaves? No need to panic. These plants are deciduous and leaf drop is part of their life cycle.
But don't forget to add evergreen or semi-evergreen varieties to your beds and hedges. In this way, your exterior will retain its appeal throughout the off-season.
