Autumn is spectacular in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Unfortunately I’ve had little time to enjoy it this year, because earlier this month we sold our condominium in Montreal where we’ve lived for the last 22 years. Cleaning and sorting and disposing of the contents has taken a lot of time and effort. In fact, it’s been a real slog but thankfully I’ve had lots of help from family members. (Thank you, each and all!)
Understandably, blogging has taken a back seat to household work. But this past weekend, I took a break to enjoy some of the best that autumn offers. Here are a few scenes from Glen Villa, where, as of next week, I’ll be spending all my time. (Hooray!) (And yes, if you do the math, you’ll see that the gap between sale and occupancy was less than three weeks. Whew!)
First is this scene along our driveway.
White birch trees stand out against colourful leaves. The white wooden doorway in the distance marks the entrance of the China Terrace, the re-imagining of the old resort hotel that once stood on the property.
Nearby is this group of trees, resplendent in their brilliance.
Maple leaves gleam in the sunlight, offering a sharp contrast to the slender tree that has lost its leaves.
There’s a froth of colour at the Aqueduct.
Prairie dropseed, or Sporobolus heterolepis, drips and droops beside the Aqueduct. The red shrub behind it is Barberry ‘Ruby Glow.’
Beside it, this work horse spirea offers an unexpected touch of colour.
The reds, yellows and greens of Spirea japonica ‘Magic Carpet’ take us for an autumn ride.
By the front door, our native witch hazel, with its twisted trunk, has an Asian look.
Soft tones of yellow and green adorn the witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana).
At its feet are bergenia.
Bergenia leaves present themselves as Christmas colours, red and green.
Change in the garden occured gradually. A few weeks ago, the trees had only begun to turn.
The Glen Villa flag flies proudly above the Lower Garden.
Some things, though, never change — a turkey is always a turkey.
Wild turkeys enjoy strolling along the Crabapple Allée, munching as they go.
A late Happy Thanksgiving to Canadian readers, and an early one to Americans. And to those who celebrate neither, Happy Fall.
