Crepe Myrtle
Autumn is my favourite time of the year in the Perth hills. Morning air is crisp and dew is often present on the well established plants in my garden. In the last two years I’ve added a few trees for the colour of their leaves, when the summer flowers have finished. This Crepe Myrtle is only a year old, but already it brightens the little court yard, giving me a lift when I open the curtains each morning.
Chinese Tallow
My Chinese Tallow will eventually grow tall, but already it glows in the setting sun as the leaves slowly turn from green to this amazing red.
Then there’s my Liquid Amber. I have grown one of these in each of my gardens over the years, but the cooler nights up here have made this specimen the most stunning of all. A few years ago, when compiling my poetry collection, ‘Friends In My Garden,’ I wrote this poem for a friend who was an excellent clothing designer, creating gowns for weddings and balls.
I hope you like it and as always, please share it with your clever designing friends.
Liquid Amber
LIQUID AMBER
Liquid amber grows
within the formal structure
which nature has designed.
To tamper with the given shape
could ruin a lovely tree.
Patterns guide her life
following the seasons
from branches bare in winter
to feathery shoots
newly frilled
in spring.
Formally clad in summer’s green
the conformation of her leaves
is pleasing to the eye.
In autumn she’s at her loveliest
in russet
or blood amber,
copper newly polished
or butter dipped green.
She clothes my garden in colour
with elegance and style.