The reprieve from a sweaty summer is oh so sweet – fall foliage, cozy sweaters and pumpkin everything. The first day of fall is Sept. 22 this year, but we’re willing to bet you’re ready to take out those Halloween decorations .
In fact, many of us have had it with summer by the time Labor Day rolls around. Breaking out the autumn decor and want a color palette for inspiration? Here’s everything you need to know about how fall colors became synonymous with the cooler months. What are fall colors? Fall colors are the shades that accompany the autumnal season, inspired by how the leaves change from green to an array of warm hues: The beauty of fall lies in the variety of shades – you’ll find crimson, golden-yellow and purplish-red leaves in many parts of the U.
S. This color palette is also associated with other autumn imagery, like pumpkins, candy corn , apples, cranberries and turkeys . Check out our fall foliage guide to see where and when to spot peak autumn colors near you.
Why do leaves change color in the fall? Chlorophyll is what makes leaves green. Leaves also contain carotenoids, which produce yellow, orange and brown colors. In the autumn, they begin to produce more anthocyanin , which gives them red and purple hues.
As the nights get longer, chlorophyll production slows down and eventually stops, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The carotenoids and anthocyanin can now give off those spectacular fall colors. When and how the leaves change color depends.