Plant Hardiness Zones. Plant hardiness zones help gardeners understand which plants will most likely survive at a location. It is important that your plants can thrive year-round, surviving extreme temperatures. Note: Zone maps do have shortfalls; if the information is inaccurate, you may live in a microclimate.
In normal years, colors peak in the first week of October on the U.P., the second week of October in northern Lower Michigan and the last two weeks of October in southern Lower Michigan. When the colors do peak, here are some of the best bets for fall foliage viewing from Pure Michigan:
Traditionally, Columbus Day Weekend is Peak Fall Foliage. September and October the Maine weather is usually perfect for touring the coast or heading into the Maine lakes region and the mountains to see the spectacular birches, oaks, maples and other deciduous trees whose leaves turn gorgeous fall colors.