Where to take visitors to see the Northwest's autumn colors

Q: We have visitors coming in October from the East Coast who always brag about their fall color. Where can we take them to show off trees changing around here?

A: It's true that the East Coast, with all its mature deciduous trees, has an intense burst of autumn color, but it doesn't last nearly as long as ours. Here summer mellows into autumn, and trees change color slowly, over many weeks (unless there's a windstorm). Often the finest fall color comes the first couple of weeks in November, but here are ideas for where to take your October guests:

Combine a fall-color trip with a ferry ride, and spend the day at Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island. The alders in the bird refuge should be ablaze, the Moss Garden is drippy and primeval in autumn, the hedged reflection pool broodingly atmospheric. You can look down upon the Japanese Garden from the deck of the guesthouse for a panoramic view of the maples turning crimson.

Make reservations for Bloedel Reserve (the number of guests is limited) by calling 206-842-7631. The reserve (7571 N.E. Dolphin Drive) is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; the fee is $10 for adults, $6 for children, and you easily can spend most of a day happily wandering around and touring the house.

The Japanese garden at the Washington Park Arboretum (2300 Arboretum Drive E., Seattle, 206-325-4510) and the hillsides, ponds and maples at Kubota Garden in South Seattle are spectacular this time of year. The Kubota Garden (9817 55th Ave. S.) is open daily during daylight hours and is free of charge. Call the Kubota Garden Foundation for information or directions at 206-725-5060.

If your visitors are here before the trees are putting on their best show, you could take them to the Bellevue Botanical Garden (12001 Main St., Bellevue, 425-452-2750) to stroll its glorious perennial border, where asters, rose hips and ornamental grasses put on an extravagant display until the first hard frost. Or head up to the higher elevations of Mount Rainier or Stevens and Snoqualmie passes, where autumn comes a little earlier and you can be certain our native vine maples will be putting on a fiery show.

Valerie Easton also writes about Plant Life in Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine. Write to her at P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111 or e-mail planttalk@seattletimes.com with your questions. Sorry, no personal replies.