Summer flowers on the Olympic Peninsula are fading as the days cool and become shorter. Don’t despair, however, as a new burst of color in your garden is right around the corner.

Clallam County Master Gardener Jeanette Stehr-Green leads the Green Thumb Education Series presentation, “Farewell to Summer: Autumn Leaves,” from noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St. Or, join the meeting online via Zoom by cliking a link at extension.wsu.edu/clallam/master-gardener-calendar (meeting ID 936 2989 8830, passcode 676224). Or, join by phone by calling 253-215-8782.

Stehr-Green will discuss why deciduous trees and shrubs lose their leaves in the fall and change color. She will explain the chemistry behind leaf color, why fall colors are brighter some years compared to others, and why the leaves of some plants turn brown while those of others turn eye-catching shades of yellow, orange and red.

She will also suggest ways local gardeners can bring fall color into their landscape and how to use fallen leaves to benefit the garden by protecting plants and soil.

Stehr-Green’s love of fall led her to research the science behind leaf color change and share that information with others. “After hearing this presentation, local gardeners will be able to select trees and shrubs that can brighten the fall landscape,” she said.

She will also talk about the skills needed to recognize leaf color change of concern; color changes that are due to inappropriate care or disease and not the changing season.

Sponsored by the Washington State University Clallam County Master Gardeners, the Green Thumb Education Series, is held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month through October. In November, December and January, one lecture is offered. Scheduled presentations are subject to change; visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar extension.wsu.edu/clallam/master-gardener-calendar for the latest information on upcoming presentations.

For more information, call 360-565-2678.