Crow’s Nest: Still great fall color

By Daniel Barringer, Preserve Manager

The lack of rain means many plants are suffering and some trees and shrubs have gone straight to brown and dropped leaves. On the other hand, red maples remain glorious but will probably drop their leaves as soon as we have rain.

First, one more photo of the frost that started the week:

The rest of the week has been warm and glorious. Here is the view across the valley from the Chief’s Grove.

Who says fall is all about color? Sometimes it is about texture, such as the feathers of Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) against the trunks of trees already gone dormant.

Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum) we love even when it has stopped blooming.

We also love butterfly weed (Asclepius tuberosa) long after the orange flowers are finished.

Here’s one more look at the native grasses and perennials we planted by the intern apartment steps. The little fence I added to keep our chickens from digging up the garden.

So, fall color remains good this weekend. I hope you have a chance to enjoy it!