Wardrobe Change

Coleus

Have you noticed the change happening all around us?

Colors are growing deeper, and darker

Coleus

More deep burgundies, purples, orange and brown,

Even the greens are getting deeper.

Cattail ripening among wildflowers on College Creek.

I used to think cooler nights brought on the change;

Staghorn Sumac berries have turned a rich mahogany.

Maybe it’s also the days growing shorter.

Grasses along the banks of the James River.

The plants in the garden want to make one last all out effort at beauty

Before that first frosty night.

“The Devil’s Walkingstick” Aralia spinosa, with berries forming where flowers bloomed only weeks ago.

The mood is shifting

Beautyberry

as another summer recedes into memory.

Sycamore

Friends come home from their travel,

Elephant Ear, Colocasia

Fall plans are in the making,

The tempo of life is picking up,

Tulip Poplar leaf

and it’s time for a change of wardrobe.

Dogwood

All photos by Woodland Gnome

About woodlandgnome

Lifelong teacher and gardener.

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