Autumn is well and truly established here in the UK, the leaves on the Sycamore and Maple trees are turning wonderful shades of yellow and red and the garden plants are beginning to die back in a serious way. We have even had a touch of ground frost in sheltered spots on a couple of occasions.
In spite of this feeling of slight melancholy I do love this time of the year because of the exciting colours, shapes and textures displayed by leaves and flowers before they finally disintegrate altogether.
My favourite plants from this point of view are the Hostas; I am quite unable to resist photographing Hosta leaves in this state of semi-decay year after year.
October is nature’s funeral month. Nature glories in death more than in life. The month of departure is more beautiful than the month of coming – October than May. Every green thing loves to die in bright colors.
Henry Ward Beecher
