Outdoors column: Shrubs, understory trees colorful in autumn

The fall colors of large woodland trees seemed a bit more muted and more sporadic compared with previous years, likely due to the drought. For example, in some woodlands, shagbark hickory leaves quickly crumpled and turned brown instead of taking on their soft yellow hues.

But that does not mean there’s no fall color to enjoy this year. Native shrubs and understory trees are equally, but perhaps more subtly lovely in autumn.

Walking through Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods recently, we happened upon a stand of native maple leaf viburnum in full autumn glory. These 5-foot-tall shrubs added pinkish and reddish glows to the woodland understory. Horticulturist Michael Dirr, author of  “Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs,” describes the colors better than I. He calls the hues “shades of fluorescent pink and rose-red to grape-juice purple-red.”

I  walked up to one of the shrubs to feel the texture of one of the leaves.

As its name suggests, this viburnum has leaves similar in shape to those on a maple tree. In spring, white flowers bloom on the viburnum, followed by dark blue to black berries in summer, and finally the last hurrah of fall color before going into slumber for the winter.

Thinking of planting some native shrubs in your yard that will produce fall color? Maple leaf viburnum is a perfect choice. It can tolerate some shade, and will multiply if you wish.

Past the stands of the viburnums, we encountered witch-hazel in full bloom. Yes, in full bloom. This native shrub produces blooms with four thin, dangling yellowish petals in mid- to late October that persist through November, even after the plant’s leaves, which turn gold in autumn, have fallen.

“In fact, the flowers (of the witch hazel) may be the only sign of color in woods where all the autumn leaves lay upon the forest floor,” according to the U.S. Forest Service blog. A smooth gray bark complements the yellow flowers.

At Ryerson Woods, we saw many small stands of blooming witch hazel, and upon close examination, we inhaled the flowers’ spicy fragrance. Sensory delights abound in the woods in autumn.

An understory tree that grows beneath the oak and maple canopy also reveals stunning shades in autumn.  Called the blue beech or musclewood, this tree’s leaves turn reddish-orange, and complement its smooth blue-gray bark.

In addition, we discovered stands of hazelnut shrubs, also called filberts, showing off their late October colors. We have planted two hazelnuts in our yard and every year at this time, we sit on a bench next to the Norway spruces and enjoy the cornucopia of yellow, orange, pink and red hues all on the same tree, some, even on the same leaf.

Redbud trees, which grow in woodland understories and in our yard, get plenty of praise in spring when they bloom purplish-pinkish flowers even before the leaves emerge. But we enjoy redbuds in autumn as well, when the leaves turn lemon yellow, often after some of the other trees like walnuts have lost their leaves. It’s easy to add a redbud to your prized autumn landscape. All you need is for a friend to dig up a small one from her yard and plant it in the spring. That’s what we did.

Another favorite autumn-pleasing tree is the Ohio buckeye. The leaves take on a bright pumpkin hue in fall.  Though our Ohio buckeye tends to show its color earlier than some of the other shrubs and trees, it decided to wait this year and join the hazelnuts and redbuds to create a lovely autumn scene in the front yard.

The buckeye produces a spiny-shelled casing, which gradually opens to expose a large, round, dark nut with a small brown spot. The nut resembles the eye of a deer, and that may be how the tree got its name. Eating any part of the buckeye tree is toxic to humans, but early settlers carried buckeye nuts in their pockets to protect them from rheumatism and to bring them good luck.

Carrying one in your pocket may also keep you grounded and connected to nature’s wisdom, according to legend. In this magical time of painted leaves, it’s easy to believe the Ohio buckeye might have spiritual powers.

Sheryl DeVore has worked as a full-time and freelance reporter, editor and photographer for the Chicago Tribune and its subsidiaries. She’s the author of several books on nature and the environment. Send story ideas and thoughts to sheryldevorewriter@gmail.com.