Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Fading away

Beautyberry, Callicarpa bodinieri
K
Just a short stroll at the tiny little beach park quite near us once more reminded me of the extraordinary beauty of grasses, especially when seen back-lit in the low sunlight of the late autumn. I just can't keep my fingers out of them, I have to touch and caress the feathery, soft axes. There were also several bushes of Callicarpa bodinieri, known as the Beautyberry. I've always been a bit uncertain about the steely purple colour, but the berries contrast quite well with the orange and yellow tones of this season...KThese days of bright sunlight are invaluable, just getting out there in between the rainy days is a treat for the soul. And what a sweet little City Hall and Police Station, don't you think?

Dry axes of unidentified grass...

City Hall and Police station by Lake Washington.

I don't know if I can ever learn to like Berberis, even if it makes a good splash of colour this time of the year.
K

The last roses of the season, looking like they want to drink up the fading rays of sunshine.

Cotoneaster, another more than common plant (I'm not sure of the variety here), by a fence towards the water.

3 comments:

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Beautiful autumn scenery. Yes, the police station near the lake is very cute; who would mind being a policeman/woman working in such beautiful surroundings? I always love the dry seedheads of the grasses. I enjoy mine any season. One would think purple and orange together, no, but I have found out that nature always finds the right hues to please ones eyes. I have cotoneaster in my garden. It is a bit a weed here and one has to be careful it does not escape into the bush. I love how it grows reching far and wide. Flowering with its creamy blossoms and than the glorious berries which some birds feast on. I better stop. It is a lovely post, take care. T.

The Intercontinental Gardener said...

Thanks, Titania; I went out thinking of writing about different berries, but got all these other pictures on the lense instead. One of the fantastic things about moving around like this is that you get to see all the seasons for the "first time" as an adult, and I love discovering how plants here take themselves through the yearly cycle.

TYRA Hallsénius Lindhe said...

Hejsan kul att hitta din blogg, riktigt trevlig tycker jag. Fina bilder och underhållande läsning. Beautyberry ur läcker tycker jag, under om den skulle funka hemma i Swedala Zon 3. Ha en trevlig helg, vi ses mvh Tyra