The photo is of a Beauty berry that we have in a container in the back yard. Leaves are no long green, but turning yellow and purple. Our Stewartia is now red-leafed as is the Burgundy Belle Maple out front. But, more than just color is changing.
After a warm and sunny weekend, the fall rains have returned. Along with that, the winds have picked up...and those leaves who have changed in color are now becoming a mosaic on the ground and less in the trees. We've seen our new crab apple give up most of its leaves this week, as well as the Burgundy Belle Maple out front. Each day as we run errand we notice more leaves changing color, and more falling to the ground.
At some point, that means work. Whether with a rake or a leaf mulcher...rain, or shine...the leaves will disappear from sight. While spring is a wonderful season with color returning to the landscape after the grays and browns of winter. But the long process of going from fall to winter is still my favorite. You never know where the color will appear next. And the two big maples out back have more and better color than in years past...a nice surprise indeed!
We have had occasional fires in the fireplace...especially when the days are chilly and the nights feel cold. To read by a crackling fire, that's my idea of a great winter evening. Add a little soft music, a cat on your lap, dog on the sofa...almost a Norman Rockwell!
The rains have been kind though, not all day, not downpours. The green space has yet to flood, although I have no doubt it will. For now, it's nice not to have to water ourselves...I'm happy to let Mother Nature do it.
