For many of you the leaves on my header are unfamiliar. Oakleaf hydrangeas are native to Alabama and one of my favorites during the spring and summer. An added benefit is that when the blooms die and dry , they take on this crisp brown color. Many southerners dry the blooms all summer to use in their homes during fall and winter. Their rich red leaves are the added bonus right before they bid us a farewell. Today's offering is a before and after of sorts. I thought you might like to see some of the gorgeous greenish/white blooms of summer and the new look they have taken on recently. These were both photographed in the wonderful Southern Living garden at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
The Tune du Jour is a very jazzy version of "Autumn Leaves"
by John Coltrane
(I am unable to play my very favorite version by Andrea Bocelli. If you run over to North Metro Minneapolis DP, you can find it on Dusty Lens' October 13th post.)
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37 comments:
I like the warm colors you have caught in the first picture
un beau avant / après. je préfère les couleurs de l'automne.
a beautiful before / after. I prefer the colors of autumn.
Beautiful colors on both. I love the contrast between the summer & fall. V, I like your new photo. For some reason while browsing at Tiffany's I half expected to run into you.
"The time, there are a changing", chantait je ne sais plus qui...
Les couleurs de l'automne sont certes plus jolies, mais annoce l'hiver...
Jolies photos Virginia, et le tube du jour est bien choisi !
I do like them, of course! I've never seen such beautiful plants...I'm going to look for!
Interesting to see the comparison!
Hello
This is my first visit to your blog!
I loved the touch and feel of the space and also the rich content!
Wonderful pictures!
Cheers
Rakesh
http://almostsunday.blogspot.com
Virginia, Thanks for the explanation. I knew MY hydrangea leaves didn't look like those and now I know why. Love seeing the change the season brings to them. Personally - I am glad there are two seasons for them - I love them both!
I hope there will still be some autumn leaves when you - finally - arrive!!
Definitely the Autumn colour!!
We do the same with the Hortensia flowers here. Cut them and then hang them upside down in a dry place. They original colours do not fade away completely but have all the same that dried-flower effect.
My favourite season and here's why. Obviously I am drawn to the top shot, that rich red. I used to visit the other Birmingham Botanical Gardens as
a child. I am still confued anout Autumn vs Fall in the USA.
The beret is freshly laundered and ready to go.
I would love to paint the second shot!!
Wonderful way to show contrasts, which seems to be what life is all about!
Tash, Don't I wish I had been at Tiffany's with! I hope you had a terrific birthday trip!
Rakesh please stop by often.
Peter, actually if the leaves are all gone that just means more photo ops of those fabulous trimmed trees in Tuileries when I- finally - arrive!!! (Don't forget the corkscrew :)
Each time I try to snap a piece of those beautiful Fall colors I get frustrated....
I would need a 360 degrees wide angle lens!! to catch everything..
Great idea to compare with the summer blooms.
just beautiful, the title is so simple (not simplistic) and poetic. reminds me of all the beautiful posts of fall (or autumn) at moscow daily photo. the variety of colors offered in the one season on the one day makes mother nature the top dog of all open air artists (c.f. to laurie's post yesterday). i've sent you a quick email hello, share what you wish :) especially those eggplant snaps you mentioned a week or so ago
Burd.
Be still my heart...what stunning colors! Merci Virg...
xx,
M
Love the picture, and Coltrane's Autumn Leaves.
I love fall, and I know these flowers. I like the way they look in their fall "dress."
Lovely colors! I do enjoy walking through these types of gardens ot view the wide vatieties of plants.
Bonjour! A beautiful tune from a beautiful musician posted by a beautiful lady. Merci! (I still think you've some Georgia ties because you really are a peach Virginia.)
Coltrane,
Whooo eeee, well bless your heart. But we have peaches in Alabama too!
I love the color texture of these leaves ... Autumn colors are my fave.
I'll try to take a close up picture of the columns for you, V.
:D
Breathtaking new masthead! Your photos today lovely! I was snapping my hydrangeas the other day too - I think they are so beautiful when they begin to fade. Yours put mine to shame though!
Cool contrast. I can see why people use it indoors through autumn and winter.
A nice touch of autumn on the way, Virginia!
Beautiful photo!
Good to see you have fall in Alabama ... but it seems early. You must be north Alabama and up a little higher in elevation.
Robert, it is still green here with some dried leaves. I had to hunt to find these changing leaves at the gardens. We have a long way to go yet.
Very pretty Virginia. (I like your new profile photo.) I am 32nd degree green, but vicariously enjoying your anticipated trip.
I love fall, and you just remind me how much with those warm everchanging colors!! Is int a great season??!...thanks
Thanks Jill and all of you that share in the anticipation and excitement of my upcoming trip.. As we move into another season, it is so interesting to me how incredibly different our cities are yet how much we are all alike. Fot that I count myself fortunate to be able to visit your cities frequently and taste your part of the world.
Beautiful contrast! The plant is awesome both ways!
Beautiful!
Sky reflection on the building glass.
Happy SW Friday!
Really lovely stuff in that first photo. Never seen anything like those browned flowers. And I think you know a thing or two about how to use that XTi! But you're right, I have learned a lot from my dad.
I've never seen an oakleaf hydrangea but it looks gorgeous, even when it's brown.
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