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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Friday, October 12, 2018

Autumnal Visit to Todd's Nursery


Look at the glorious color on this Coral Bark Maple.  Mine turns a glorious gold but nothing like this color as vibrant as the bark.

Speaking of bark on Coral Bark Maples, mine has become mostly gray except for the very tips of branches.  This one has coral bark all the way down to the trunk.  What up with that?

Okay, I'll admit to loving autumn. 

Mum's the word.

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'  

 The huge old tree around which one of the greenhouses was built broke off in a storm a few years back and was cut off just below roof level.  The tall trunk remains as a reminder.

Exbury Azalea 'Lemon Lings' must think it's spring already. 

To Autumn by John Keats

 Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
     Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
     With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
     And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
        To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
     With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
       For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

 Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
     Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
     Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep,
     Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
       Spares the next swath and all is twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
     Steady thy laden head across a brook;
     Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
       Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.


 Where are the songs of spring? Ay, Where are they?
     Think not of them, thou has thy music too, -
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
     And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
     Among the river sallows, borne aloft
       Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
     Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
     The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
       And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.



Parthenocissus quinquefolia showing off.


Ripening holly berries.  So, it's not only the retailers who are telling us that the holidays are just around the corner!

Pyracantha joins in an early advent chorus. 

Songs of spring?  Nope, just winter blooming Hellebores.  Come January, we'll be delighted to see these in full bloom in our gardens and declare it a sign of spring even though we know better.

Even as dogwood leaves change color and their fruits ripen, next spring's blooms are already in the planning stage.  Delightful.
Happy weekend all and may you enjoy the many charms of autumn!

15 comments:

  1. Heck, I'm already calling the buds forming on my Edgeworthia a sign of spring. Are you calling me crazy?

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    1. A gardener's indomitable hopeful spirit! As old man winter approaches, we all look for the promise of spring. As for the crazy part, I'd never actually call you that but if the straight jacket fits...

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  2. Huge fan of autumn too. Here it's the mild temps, the incredible slanted light, and the nearly audible sighs of relief coming from the garden. Wonderful season!

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  3. A purely Magical time of year. Thank you for capturing and sharing the beauty of the Nursery.

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  4. Some of those wider landscape shots almost look like a public garden. I love autumn, too, but it is very cold here for early Oct. Feels like Nov.

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  5. I'm a fall fan too! Even when we don't get rain, at least the temperature is pleasant. Your photos of the colorful trees peeking out through green foliage and reflecting in the pond are lovely. As to the coral bark maple, the leaves on mine don't color up prettily either.

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  6. Autumn is a great season, it's what follows that upsets me. ;)

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  7. Autumn would be proud of your representation of it. My favorite time of the year.

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  8. I noticed next years buds on the native dogwoods as we were out walking today.
    With our great weather, hopefully all of us north westerners will get outside and enjoy the glories of autumn.

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  9. I am learning to appreciate Autumn (must be my age). I do love the colours I must admit. But this morning gale force winds are hurling torrential rain against the windows. This bit I could do without!

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  10. I love October, it is a glorious month. I love those acers.

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  11. Your photos help to illustrate one of my favorite poems.

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  12. I love October, and having heard that it is good for the brain to learn a Poem by Heart...you have inspired me and I am going to learn 'To Autumn'...wonderful pictures. Many thanks.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.