White Swan Coneflower seed heads.
As the last flowers freeze-dry on the stem and the final leaves blow from the trees, the landscape does takes on a more stark appearance, and we wonder where the summer went. But we look forward to this time of the year too. You get to see the bones of the landscape, as it were, and appreciate the details that were overshadowed much of the season by the more flamboyant flowers and foliage. Seed heads, berries, grass plumes, and oak leaves now lend golden tones to catch the low light. Interesting growth habits (think White Oak and Sargent’s Flowering Crab) and corky or exfoliating bark (such as Burning Bush, Ninebark, Birch) all take center stage. Evergreens, many times overlooked, now add structure and color. Throw on a stocking cap and gloves; now is the time to enjoy the “other six months” of the landscape. There’s no pruning or weeding to do–you can just walk and look around. If you don’t think your landscape has enough going on, enjoy this quieter time of year to observe and plan for next year.
