Witch hazels have been featured on this website more than any other plant. Their lore, unusual bloom times, sweet/clean fragrance, seed dispersal mechanisms, use by diviners, antiseptic properties, and propensity to haunt familiar east-of-the-Mississippi woods fascinate me.
A cluster of shrubs along the south side of a church wall in Evanston has earned another entry. The golden leaves literally shine from mid to late autumn. In the sunlight the rich hue resembles the golden leaves of the famed Mallorn trees in Tolkein's Lothlorien.
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Left: 2nd Place winner - Acer rubrum: red maple. Always beautiful but glorious against the blue sky. This particular maple is next to a bright yellow gingko creating a vibrant autumn scene along Sheridan Rd.
The glowing red foliage of burning bushes and chokeberries deserve mentioning.
Although not as dramatic, the russet-yellow-orange tones of the container serviceberry are pleasant. |
