Experiencing a lovely fall

We have been experiencing a lovely fall. The Flameleaf sumac (Rhus copallina) has reached its peak of color. This small deciduous tree displays its orangish red compound leaves around November. It is not poisonous although it is related to Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron Vernix) which is found in swampy areas.

The Cypress trees that line the local waterways have turned a rust color and their leaves are falling. All our deciduous trees are losing their leaves.

Another typical fall occurrence is the dropping of acorns, but I have not seen many acorns this year. The deer love acorns and in their absence they might eat other plants they do not ordinarily devour. I wonder if the deep freeze of zero degrees Fahrenheit we had last February affected the acorn production.

This time of year I start forcing my Paperwhite narcissus bulbs so that I have blooming flowers in the house for the holiday season. These bulbs are placed in a tall vase on top of a two inch layer of rocks. Keep the water level right below the bulb. The vase with the bulb is now placed in a dark area. I keep mine in a closet that has no windows.

It is amazing how quickly the roots sprout.

When the flower stem appears within the leaves (after quite a few weeks) and you can see the buds in the flower sheath, it is time to move the vase out into a sunny window.

Some people do not like the strong scent of these flowers, but I like the special perfume.

Because fall is the time to plant bulbs to bloom in the spring, I decided to plant a few Paperwhite bulbs in the ground. Paperwhite narcissus came back each spring in Louisiana, but we will see if these do in Central Texas. I have other narcissus (not Paperwhites) that do bloom every early spring here in Wimberley.

Written by Jackie Mattice, Hays County Master Naturalist