Northern Glow Korean Maple - Fall Colors Begin - Late October 2026

We've had a weird Fall.  A few days ago, I posted the 10-day forecast that showed no frost arriving in our Zone 6a/5b Growing Zone well beyond the first few days of November.  I talked about how (according to the Illinois State Climatologist), the latest first frost in Northern Illinois (on record) was November 11th.  That means that everything is still....well...hanging on in the garden.  

I just looked at the weather app and I can see all the way out to November 11th - the 'record' for last first frost.  And, right now....it is showing one day between now and then with lows in the upper 30s.  And, November 11th is showing a low of 47 degrees.  eeek.  

That means that things aren't going to go dormant due to the cold. 

Does that mean that I have to keep watering things?  Probably.

But, it also means that some of the things in the garden.  Like with our Korean and Japanese Maples.  

They have, historically, been pretty great at putting on a "Fall Show" with oranges and red leaves.  As they fade into dormancy.  That includes our Northern Glow Korean Maple tree that is planted in the front yard Island Bed.  Last year (early November), the fan-shaped leaves were lovely.  Red-centers.  

This year?  The tree is (right now) still green.  At the very end of October.  With some yellows appearing.  Here is a photo of the full Northern Glow Korean Maple that was planted from a 7 gallon nursery pot to the garden in July 2024.  One-and-a-half growing seasons later, here's what the tree looks like: 

And, here, below are a couple of close-ups of the current state of the leaves.  Lots of green.  Some yellow. And...some crispy and curled brown.  

We haven't had rain in weeks, so this hasn't been watered for some time.  I'm seeing rain in the near-term forecast, but if that doesn't arrive, I'll have to get out the hose and put a little water on this one.