Fullerton Arboretum shows off colors of fall

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A rufous hummingbird rests in a light rainstorm atop an elderberry shrub at the Fullerton Arboretum.BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Across Orange County, an extra hot summer, followed by a warm September and October, has delayed the turning of leaves to their fall colors.

The same has been true for the Fullerton Arboretum, but the large garden's diverse species of plants ensures that something interesting is always happening.

On a recent rainy morning, the arboretum was quiet except for small groups of schoolchildren gawking at the garden's giant ombu tree. Normally shy and skittish birds, including a spectacularly colored rufous hummingbird, boldly foraged in the perennial flowerbeds just outside the arboretum offices.

A profusion of salvia blossoms in purple, red, pink and blue offered the hummingbirds plenty of menu choices. Ladybugs clung tightly to pink muhley grasses waving in the breeze.

In the same area, the entire life cycle of a monarch butterfly was on display. Larvae of the butterfly, striped black, white and yellow, fattened themselves on the leaves of milkweed plants. Inches away, a tiny chrysalis, bright green with a small line of gold detail, hung conspicuously among the dark brown stalks of a thatching reed plant. After 10 days, the chrysalis will open and a fully formed butterfly will join the bright orange monarchs in the garden.

A short walk to the woodlands section of the gardens revealed dirt pathways covered by the yellow ash tree leaves. A small stand of elm-leaved sumac was in full seasonal color transition. As the weather cools, the symmetrical rows of leaves will turn a brilliant deep red. Sheltering from the rain under a Chinese parasol tree, looking past its brown-and-yellow-fringed, foot-wide leaves, there was the feeling of being in the rain forest, or at least the Disneyland Jungle Cruise.

Long after most of the rain had soaked into the ground, huge drops of water beaded up on taro leaves along the banks of the arboretum's stream. The plant, grown for food in Hawaii, has a leaf surface that actually repels water. Nearby a bright-orange fringed hibiscus blossom delicately hung above the footpath.

Near midday, a squirrel found a snack under the garden's majestic bald cypress trees. Soon the cypresses will turn golden brown and drop all their needles, remaining bare until the onset of spring.

In the parking lot, ginkgo trees were already turning to their bright yellow fall color and a Chinese tallow tree had started dropping bright red leaves.

Rain or shine, a fall visit to the arboretum will not disappoint. Parking and admission are free, although they appreciate donations. The Fullerton Arboretum at the north end of Cal State Fullerton, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

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