Autumn colours…..

At this time of year I am really glad that we planted plenty of spindle and dogwood in the hedges we created when we moved here 6 years ago.  Our focus was shrubs with plenty of berries and nesting sites for birds, and neither of these two shrubs is especially good in that respect, but along with field maple they are the first to colour up in September.  And spindle – an absolute favourite from childhood country walks – is the best of all with its bright pink leaves and pink and orange fruits.  Autumn brings its own flavour as the garden changes colour and the nights draw in.  And although I lament the loss of summer, the colourful hedges and a barn owl hunting  in the garden at dusk makes the season change more than bearable.