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Red Dirt Ramblings®

Firmly rooted in the Oklahoma soil

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Autumn’s not so understated beauty

21 October, 2009 By Dee Nash

by Dee Nash
21 October, 200916 June, 2010Filed under:
  • Color
  • Fall
  • Oklahoma
  • Trees and shrubs
Coral bark Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku'

Coral bark Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku') meaning "coral tower" because the bark is red

Busy this week with maternal duties and, later, writing projects, I nearly failed to glance outside my window.  Thank goodness I did.

Beneath a cloudy haze, a golden landscape beckoned.  I grabbed my camera and let the screen door slap shut behind me.  Beneath the soles of my Keds, recycled, river rock crunched, and the wind blew me toward trees and shrubs ablaze with color.  Who needs flowers when your eyes can feast upon this?

Dynamite crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Red blooms in summer and orange foliage in fall

Dynamite crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Red blooms in summer and orange foliage in fall

Crapemyrtles turning shades of ochre and bronze.

Zebra grass, Miscanthus sinensis waving in the prairie wind

Zebra grass, Miscanthus sinensis waving in the prairie wind

Grasses singing their sweet, soft melody while their heads whip in the wind.

Native oaks in richer colors than in years past

Native oaks in richer colors than in years past

Majestic oaks tower above it all, holding their bronzed arms aloft against the sky.

Brown crepe paper blooms of Hydrangea arborenscens 'Annabelle'

Brown crepe paper blooms of Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

Still, a few flowers hang on, and their colors are true in this subtle October light.

Branches of unknown crapemyrtle with roses, artemesia, Mexican bush sage and maiden grass

Branches of unknown crapemyrtle with roses, artemesia, Mexican bush sage and maiden grass. 'The Fairy' rose is on the left.

Some find fall sad, but I don’t.  Two years ago, I wrote about the phenom of fall color, and last year, I went in search of it.  Although I love spring’s sparkling newness (the season always reminds me of a spring green crayon), I also love fall’s golden fruition, a time to reflect over the completed season while we, gardeners, wait for winter to dream about an even more beautiful “next year.”

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Comments

  1. RichardAlois says

    31 October, 2010 at 5:01 pm

    Nice! Uploaded a autumn picture to my blog. check it out below.

  2. Benjamin says

    24 October, 2009 at 7:30 pm

    Fall isn’t as bland as I remember in OK. I was just down there about 2 weeks ago and every day it was damp and cold. Oh, and nice new header image! Maybe it’s been there for a while, though….
    .-= Benjamin´s last blog ..We’ve Got Color, Yes We Do =-.

    • Dee Nash says

      26 October, 2009 at 12:43 pm

      Hi Benjamin, the color was especially good this year. We had abundant rain and the perfect fall weather of cool nights and warm days. No, I just got the new blog theme. Thanks so much.~~Dee

  3. Ilona says

    24 October, 2009 at 7:38 am

    Our colors turned all of a sudden, too. Lovely scenes,evocative commentary.
    .-= Ilona´s last blog ..My Autumn #2 =-.

    • Dee Nash says

      26 October, 2009 at 12:52 pm

      Thanks Ilona. I appreciate your kind words.~~Dee

  4. Cindy, MCOK says

    23 October, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    Fall is indeed a beautiful time in your garden. We don’t get that much fall color (well, it shows up in January, LOL) but the cool crisp air is a welcome change from summer’s heat and humidity.

  5. Anna/Flowergardengirl says

    23 October, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    Fantastic blog design! Lovely post Dee, just lovely. Congrats.

  6. compostinmyshoe says

    23 October, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    Beautiful shots of fall. It will be at least another month before we start seeing that much color……..enjoy!
    .-= compostinmyshoe´s last blog ..Fragrant Ladies Showing Off =-.

  7. Daricia says

    23 October, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    crape myrtle is one of the absolute best for fall color, isn’t it? i was just noticing the ones around my neighborhood this morning – all red and orange. yellows are pretty, too, but somehow not quite as exciting.

  8. Linda Lehmusvirta says

    23 October, 2009 at 10:11 am

    I loved sharing that walk with you. We’re still a few weeks away from that beauty but it must be heading our way!

  9. commonweeder says

    23 October, 2009 at 9:28 am

    I must have that New Englander’s prejudice that no place has fall color the way we do – but you have opened my eyes. Beautiful post.

  10. Rose says

    23 October, 2009 at 8:58 am

    Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to autumn, Dee! Although I have been admiring the colors of fall this past week, I’ve neglected to take any photos . . . and it’s raining again. I’d better hurry–two of my trees have already lost all their leaves!

  11. eliz says

    22 October, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    I wish I had more time to look at and photograph the colors right outside my door as you have–the brilliant yellow perennials and dusky rose hydrangeas and now the Boston ivy are just as pretty as anything I could see on a drive. I love your crape myrtle; I never saw that in fall before.

  12. Della says

    22 October, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    Thank you for sharing the wonderful photo’s of your garden.

  13. VW says

    22 October, 2009 at 11:44 am

    Maybe feeling sad in fall depends on how long your winter is. I wouldn’t mind putting on my winter coat if I didn’t know that I’d still be wearing it 6 or 7 months later!
    Lovely photos.

  14. Jenny B says

    22 October, 2009 at 6:42 am

    I could just hear that screen door slapping closed behind you. Our responsibilities sometimes get in the way of opening our eyes to what is going on around us. Nature has so much to offer whether it be Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter. I must confess, Fall is my favorite time of year…but ask me again in Spring and you might get a different answer.
    🙂 Lovely photos with words that paint a picture as well.

  15. Frances says

    22 October, 2009 at 5:37 am

    So glad the screen door didn’t spank you on the way out, you must have been in a hurry! JK. The oak trees with the fence and gate is frame worthy, my friend! Fall beckons us out, it is hard to stay inside when the sun is shining just so on those flaming trees. Love your coral bark and crepes too. 🙂
    Frances

  16. Bren says

    22 October, 2009 at 1:40 am

    We have many of the same things in our garden blooming only a different neck of the woods! Thanks for sharing – I am loving your color.

  17. james says

    22 October, 2009 at 1:10 am

    Hi, Just drop by from Blotanical.

    You are right when you mention, “who need flowers when you have these” I totally agree with you.

  18. Robin says

    21 October, 2009 at 10:02 pm

    I love the colors of fall! The only thing that makes me sad about fall is that it just doesn’t last very long and then winter comes and last forever. Six months of naked trees, snow, ice and cold dreary days. You can’t beat the beauty of fall but after winter, I’m so ready for spring! That’s why spring is my favorite season.

  19. Noelle (azplantlady) says

    21 October, 2009 at 9:02 pm

    Hello,

    I think your pictures more then prove your point about the beauty of autumn. It is just a different kind of beauty then that of the other season’s.

    I love the leaf color in your first photo. They look like they are chartreuse.

  20. Beckie says

    21 October, 2009 at 8:44 pm

    Dee, I’m in total agreement with you on fall. Who could not be thrilled when seeing these great colors. Glad you took the time to enjoy the season’s offerings.

  21. Mary Delle says

    21 October, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    The colors are so wonderful. I love an autumn tour around the garden.

  22. Les says

    21 October, 2009 at 7:46 pm

    As if we need another reason to plant Crape Myrtles. We plant lesser trees just for a similar fall color. Thanks for sharing.

  23. Kylee from Our Little Acre says

    21 October, 2009 at 6:03 pm

    I’d be hard-pressed, Dee, to say which season is my favorite – fall or spring. They both hold a special feeling of change that I find exhilarating. I welcome autumn, if not what follows. I see it as a final dessert before winter.
    .-= Kylee from Our Little Acre´s last blog ..?? (Wabi-sabi) =-.

  24. Carol, May Dreams Gardens says

    21 October, 2009 at 5:10 pm

    I love fall, too, with all the warm colors. It seems every morning there is a new tree or shrub that has turned from green to some “wow” color almost overnight. It’s almost, but not quite, like finding new blooms in the spring.

    Thanks for a beautiful autumn post!

  25. Gail says

    21 October, 2009 at 5:05 pm

    The crape myrtle is wonderful Dee! The last shot is a perfect photo of fall in a garden! I love fall, too; all of it~~the light, the colors and that crispness in the air. I’ll miss the garden, but the garden and gardener need to rest. gail

  26. TR says

    21 October, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    Beautiful! The change in the last two days has been unbelievable!

    One of the best years in a long time, eh Tim?~~Dee

  27. Pam/Digging says

    21 October, 2009 at 4:49 pm

    Beautifully written and beautifully pictured too, Dee. There’s certainly no mourning of Autumn here in Austin.

    Thank you so much.~~Dee

  28. Leslie says

    21 October, 2009 at 4:48 pm

    Fall is probably my least favorite season…but if I had your lovely views I might alter my ranking methods.

    Yes, your climate changes during the year are much more subtle, so I can see why you would feel that way.~~Dee

  29. Mr. McGregor's Daughter says

    21 October, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    Wowee – I’m digging that Maple & the Crapemyrtle. Great color. I love autumn too.

    Thanks, I love them both too.~~Dee

  30. Nola says

    21 October, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    Your crape myrtles are beautiful! I can’t wait, another month or so and mine will be ablaze, too! Fall is a wonderful time, I hurry in spring to get everything planted and don’t have enough time to just sit and admire the garden. By the time fall gets here, I can sit and fully appreciate my mature garden.

    Nola, you’ve got it exactly right. Fall is a great time to appreciate our gardens. Thanks for the reminder.~~Dee

  31. Kathy from Cold Climate Gardening says

    21 October, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    It’s good to make time for an autumn walk. If you had as much snow and cold to look forward to as I did, you might find the end of autumn mournful.
    .-= Kathy from Cold Climate Gardening´s last blog ..A Good Year for Witch Hazels =-.

    Yes, Kathy, if I had to wait so long for spring, I think I would actually be depressed. Hang in there my friend.~~Dee

  32. Janell West says

    21 October, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    Dee,

    Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos. You have such a good eye. Glad you went out that screen door with camera in hand …

    Janell

    Thank you Janell. I think you also have a good eye. You also write so very well.~~Dee

  33. Lisa at Greenbow says

    21 October, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    I just love this time of year. These golden hued colors are just the most beautiful part of fall.

    Me too, Lisa. It’s the garden’s fare thee well.~~Dee

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