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The autumn color around the house does not begin with bright splashes of color. When i think of planting things, fall color is on my list. Taken all together, the leaves are thinning and there's a yellow like late afternoon light in the leaves - -and sometimes it is late afternoon light, and sometimes it is the leaf change.
The dogwoods that survive are a dull burgundy dotted with the bright red berries. I am sad about their slow decline, but... maybe someday i'll buy some disease resistant selections or hybrids. There are plenty of redbud seedlings here, though, so i'll focus on bringing those up as spring color.
The tulip poplars -- not poplars but tall, straight hardwood timber trees that reach majestic heights -- are dropping their leaves. The leaves turn yellow, here and there, dappling the tree, as early as August. Many are freckled brown; i assumed this was some fungal issue, but apparently it's part of the leaf change. They turn dark brown-black soon after they hit the ground in the yard here, and i rake them up to return the yard to a more cheerful state. Free mulch.
The black cherries and the elms also start loosing leaves in dull browns. The cherries pass through unexceptional yellows.
The apple in the front of the house lost its leaves in the late summer to the pressure of the cedar rust.
The spice bush though -- its leaves turn a clear yellow. I haven't noticed any spice bush berries. Maybe i should go forage.
Friday after work and Saturday i have done very little. I think my brain just needs a break. I let it wander through the geologic history of Mount Rogers in Virginia, marveling at the age of the billion year old Cranberry Gneiss. Billion. With a B. From before oxygen filled the atmosphere. I would love a small statue or something to touch to treasure such a connection bact to that time. Oooh, well, if it was Scotland i was holding on to: https://www.gneiss-things.com/heritage
The dogwoods that survive are a dull burgundy dotted with the bright red berries. I am sad about their slow decline, but... maybe someday i'll buy some disease resistant selections or hybrids. There are plenty of redbud seedlings here, though, so i'll focus on bringing those up as spring color.
The tulip poplars -- not poplars but tall, straight hardwood timber trees that reach majestic heights -- are dropping their leaves. The leaves turn yellow, here and there, dappling the tree, as early as August. Many are freckled brown; i assumed this was some fungal issue, but apparently it's part of the leaf change. They turn dark brown-black soon after they hit the ground in the yard here, and i rake them up to return the yard to a more cheerful state. Free mulch.
The black cherries and the elms also start loosing leaves in dull browns. The cherries pass through unexceptional yellows.
The apple in the front of the house lost its leaves in the late summer to the pressure of the cedar rust.
The spice bush though -- its leaves turn a clear yellow. I haven't noticed any spice bush berries. Maybe i should go forage.
Friday after work and Saturday i have done very little. I think my brain just needs a break. I let it wander through the geologic history of Mount Rogers in Virginia, marveling at the age of the billion year old Cranberry Gneiss. Billion. With a B. From before oxygen filled the atmosphere. I would love a small statue or something to touch to treasure such a connection bact to that time. Oooh, well, if it was Scotland i was holding on to: https://www.gneiss-things.com/heritage