Strolling in my neighborhood the other day, I saw two trees with autumn foliage that I thought would have made the most compelling combination had they been planted side by side. One was a ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) whose leaves had turned an iridescent gold; the other was a crape myrtle that prese nted itself in boisterous burgundy. These are deciduous trees that will soon be bereft of foliage, but even then, there will be something to see. Ginkgo has a symmetrical upright growth habit and short shoots that terminate in knobs, adding an exotic touch to the tree’s leafless silhouette. When young, a ginkgo’s bark is alluringly smooth; with age, it is eminently furrowed. The ginkgo is also noteworthy for losing its leaves all at once. In December, its robe of golden foliage becomes a carpet of gold virtually overnight. The word ginkgo comes from a Chinese word meaning “silver apricot.” Female trees bear a fleshy orange-colored fruit that, in the manner of an apricot, conceals a hard shell, which, in the ginkgo’s case, is silvery in color. The common name of maidenhair tree derives from the fact that its fan-shaped leaves resemble larger versions of maidenhair fern (Adiantum spp.) foliage. Their fruit has an unpleasant odor, however, so you seldom see female trees. Incidentally, gingko extract is taken from leaves, not fruit. While ginkgo extract by itself has not been shown to improve memory, there is some evidence that it could be beneficial when used in combination with medications that have been proven to delay the onset or progression of dementia. The fall foliage of crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) can vary in color depending on variety, so now is the best time of year to shop for this tree if autumn leaf color is a factor in your decision-making process. However, if deep burgundy to nearly black foliage throughout the growing season is appealing to you, consider crape myrtle hybrids such as Black Diamond Purely Purple, Ebony Flame, and Moonlight Magic, whose dark leaves are the backdrop to flowers in purple, red, or white, respectively. All three of these crape myrtles are easily maintained since none grow more than 15 feet tall. A dwarf crape myrtle cultivar known as Midnight Magic reaches only six feet in height while sporting maroon foliage and deep pink blossoms. Putting aside crape myrtle foliar and floral characteristics, its bark is also of considerable interest. Smooth and exfoliating, it references “myrtle” in its common name since these bark characteristics are famously evidenced on true myrtles (Myrtus spp.) as well. Each fall, Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum) foliage is unmatched for luminescent leaves in every version of yellow, orange, and red. With a mature height of 40 feet, it might seem like an exemplary ornamental tree. However, it does present two qualities that merit careful consideration prior to planting. The first is that its roots grow along the soil surface, and the second is that the fruit so slippery that planting must be a good distance from sidewalks or anywhere else where pedestrian traffic is a concern. Chinese pistachio (Pistacia chinense) joins ginkgo and tallow tree in a noteworthy group of deciduous species indigenous to China that bring unforgettable autumn panache. Scintillating red-orange foliage is displayed on a perfectly domed canopy at a mature height of 30-40 feet. Two infrequently encountered deciduous species bear scrutiny when considering trees to plant for fall color. Weeping copper beech (Fagus sylvatica var. Purpurea Pendula) grows 10 feet tall and wide with a pendulous growth habit and coppery to purple leaves. On younger specimens, this foliage clings to branches throughout the winter season. At the Los Angeles Arboretum in Arcadia, there is a magnificent example of a Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica) tree. Known as ironwood due to  its wood density, its autumn foliage is a distinctive trait. The foliage first turns gold before transitioning to orange, followed by pink, and finally scarlet. Reaching maturity at a height of 35 feet, this species is suitable as an ornamental shade tree. In our hot inland valleys, it needs more water than many of our trees and benefits from some shade. Courtesy of Conifer Kingdom (coniferkingdom.com), I learned about the deciduous Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus var. Evening Light) whose heart-stopping garden presence cannot be overstated. Although the species grows up to 30 feet, this particular cultivar does not exceed 12 feet in height. Flowers are fragrant white bells while purplish foliage changes to yellow or red before dehiscence (a botanical word for detaching from the tree) in the fall. And then there is Conifer Kingdom’s Himalayan spruce (Picea smithiana var. Sunray) whose evergreen needles remain a bright golden green, as if lit up by an inside light, throughout the year. Other conifers providing year-round color would include a silvery-blue variety of giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum var. Hazel Smith) and weeping blue Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica cv. Glauca Pendula). Left to its own devices, this species trails along the ground. It is therefore trained so that a single trunk develops from which an arching canopy grows, eventually reaching a height of 20 feet with an equal spread. California native of the week: Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), a member of the rose family, is a deciduous shrub growing up to 10 feet tall. It will need somewhat moist soil and favors a northern or partially shaded exposure. In both appearance and taste, its fruit resembles that of a blueberry and offers a splendid snack for wildlife. Foliage turns yellow and then red, adhering to the plant for several months, before finally detaching to form a leafy mulch below. Starter plants are available through vendors on Etsy.com. Have you observed plants with fall or winter foliar color that would interest readers of this column? If so, send along your impressions to [email protected]. Your questions and comments, as well as gardening conundrums and successes, are always welcome.  Related Articles Quince trees, cold-weather vegetables and more to plant in the garden How to choose the right apple tree for your location Messy house? 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