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Autumn Colour

Written by John James, posted on Thursday, November 7, 2019

As the weather transforms slowly from summer to winter, there is an increasing amount of interest in the gardens from autumn colour in its many forms.

The autumn colour typical of leaves before they drop is actually present throughout the year, but only becomes visible as the chlorophyll (green pigment) declines in the leaf leaving the other colours to shine through before the leaves fall.

Although autumn colour in its broadest sense is usually applied to leaves, it can equally well come from fruit and any late flowers. This year there has been an abundant crop of fruit and berries. I am sure many will say that this is forecasting a bad winter, but in my view, it is more of a reflection of good conditions when the fruit set.

The gallery of 35 images, below, shows highlights from around the Gardens and Meadow:

Submitted by markhook on Wed, 2019-11-06 15:47
Click the images to enlarge
The fruit on this white berried Sorbus cashmiriana in the Pococke Garden last a long time as the birds don’t realise they are ripe!
The fruit on this white berried Sorbus cashmiriana in the Pococke Garden last a long time as the birds don’t realise they are ripe!
Psychedelic fruit and seed pods on this Common Spindle (Euonymus europaeaus) near the Jubilee Bridge. As a bonus the leaves turn orangey red as well.
Psychedelic fruit and seed pods on this Common Spindle (Euonymus europaeaus) near the Jubilee Bridge. As a bonus the leaves turn orangey red as well.
Brilliant colours on this climbing Vitis coignetiae (Crimson Glory Vine) on the walls in Meadow Quad.
Brilliant colours on this climbing Vitis coignetiae (Crimson Glory Vine) on the walls in Meadow Quad.
Unusual red flowers on Acanthus sennii from Ethiopia in the Mediterranean Garden.
Unusual red flowers on Acanthus sennii from Ethiopia in the Mediterranean Garden.
It is interesting that these young Tulip Trees on the Dean’s Ham colour up earlier than the older one in between, which nicely increases the season of interest.
It is interesting that these young Tulip Trees on the Dean’s Ham colour up earlier than the older one in between, which nicely increases the season of interest.
It is interesting that these young Tulip Trees on the Dean’s Ham colour up earlier than the older one in between, which nicely increases the season of interest.
Broadleaf Cockspur Thorn (Crataegus persimilis ‘Prunifolia’) in front of the Meadow Building. Great berries (haws) and amazing foliage colours make this an excellent small tree.
Broadleaf Cockspur Thorn (Crataegus persimilis ‘Prunifolia’) in front of the Meadow Building. Great berries (haws) and amazing foliage colours make this an excellent small tree.
Broadleaf Cockspur Thorn (Crataegus persimilis ‘Prunifolia’) in front of the Meadow Building. Great berries (haws) and amazing foliage colours make this an excellent small tree.
Broadleaf Cockspur Thorn (Crataegus persimilis ‘Prunifolia’) in front of the Meadow Building. Great berries (haws) and amazing foliage colours make this an excellent small tree.
Solitary Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus) poking through the leaves in the Memorial Garden.
The Virginia Creeper on Meadow Building must be the backdrop of countless thousands of tourist photos.
The Virginia Creeper on Meadow Building must be the backdrop of countless thousands of tourist photos.
The Virginia Creeper on Meadow Building must be the backdrop of countless thousands of tourist photos.
The Virginia Creeper on Meadow Building must be the backdrop of countless thousands of tourist photos.
This ferociously spined 'Colletia paradoxa' in the Cathedral Garden is covered in tiny, sweetly scented flowers at this time of year.
Flowers and fruit at the same time are provided by the Strawberry Trees in the Masters Garden in the autumn and winter.
Flowers and fruit at the same time are provided by the Strawberry Trees in the Masters Garden in the autumn and winter.
The purple berries on this Callicarpa bodinieri var giraldii ‘Profusion’ scarcely look real and are another berry that the birds tend to ignore.
The purple berries on this Callicarpa bodinieri var giraldii ‘Profusion’ scarcely look real and are another berry that the birds tend to ignore.
The purple berries on this Callicarpa bodinieri var giraldii ‘Profusion’ scarcely look real and are another berry that the birds tend to ignore.
The purple berries on this Callicarpa bodinieri var giraldii ‘Profusion’ scarcely look real and are another berry that the birds tend to ignore.
Gentle yellow hues provided by the Lime Trees in Broad Walk and New Walk
Gentle yellow hues provided by the Lime Trees in Broad Walk and New Walk
Sorbus commixta ‘Embley’ on Boat House Island.
Sorbus commixta ‘Embley’ on Boat House Island.
Our magnificent old Zelkova carpiniflolia (Caucasian Elm) showing off its autumn splendour on the banks of the River Cherwell.
Our magnificent old Zelkova carpiniflolia (Caucasian Elm) showing off its autumn splendour on the banks of the River Cherwell.
Amazing variation of colour on the Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica) in the Masters Garden.
Amazing variation of colour on the Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica) in the Masters Garden.
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