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Garden impressions - Autumn 2005 |
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Autumn is a season in which the garden often surprises me. Not just because changes
happen rapidly as the end of the gardening season approaches - but also
because by this time of year, I don't venture out as often anymore. Shorter
days, rainy weather, or just plain burnout conspire to keep me inside, so
that when a cheerful sunny fall day draws me out, there are lots of new things
to explore. On this page I show some of the sights that prompted me to take
a picture.
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The side garden is not yet in full fall splendor, but already has taken on
that regal state where details like tidy foliage and prim blossoms no longer
matter - colors blend together, and messiness that might have been offputting
in the height of summer seems less frantic, more natural.
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Showing off their technicolor transformation, the leaves shine in the autumn
garden. This set belongs to our crape myrtle.
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But while crape myrtles, with the explosion of
flowers in summer, have already had their best show, other plants are just
now starting their primary season of interest. Burnish bush is one of them.
Another one is this Japanese spirea, whose foliage was golden early in the
season - in its purple state, it has finally gathered up its composure and
is at long last mature.
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So too, the variegated Japanese elm had foliage that was showy enough
in the regular season, maturing from light green in spring to deep green
in summer, in both cases strikingly streaked with white. By now, the white
is gone, and a more gentle mixture of burnished colors has replaced the
contrast that came before.
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And then the clematis. Notwithstanding the fact that Ramona is still
sporting its glorious flowers, the focus has shifted to the typical moppy
seedheads. Except that Ramona (left) is more grunge, Jackmanii
more new wave.
Last modified:
November 05, 2005
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