Autumn at Malwyd: Nothing Gold Can Stay

Urban decay and suburban sprawl are just blocks away from the Malwyd esate I have tended for 6 years, but St. Charles Seminary and the Merion Tribute House, with spacious grounds and tolling carillons, lend a pastoral air. On certain clear autumn days, the bells chime familiar old hymns, uncannily perfect for that moment. I have to stop work, and for those moments, just be.

Autumn announces its arrival with shafts of golden light. Summer is a glare of bright even illumination, but in the fall light, things glow, and cast long shadows. The sudden crimson of the dogwood leaves and rapidly rising pampas plumes mean rapid change is on the way.

The sky shifts rapidly in brisk autumn wind. Passing clouds change the light by the moment. Gazed through a mature pieris grove, a hint of golden ginkgo behind the gable.

The magisterial autumn blaze of a rugged ginkgo, against a cerulean November sky.

 Asters, dahlias and hibiscus light the burgeoning perennial garden.

Japanese anemones are among the best flowers for carefree late-season informal cottage garden bloom.

Weeping scarlet maple and Virginia creeper color the entry.

From September through November, the canopy changes subtly each day.

Golden pine needles carpet stone paths in the woodland garden. It is easy to forget that ys, pine trees shed their needles, too.

A few weeks later, scarlet stars fall from Japanese maples, creating a most perfect carpet. Walking these soft paths, a pure pleasure.

Scarlet stars on English ivy.

The gray sinew of the mature maple grove, blazing in autumn glory.

Late afternoon rays ignite a gnarled maple.

Perennial hibiscus, otherworldy and startling.

Sheffield daisies turn their faces toward the rapidly setting sun.

Perfect days, but not enough hours. The moon arises as we finish our work. As the poet said:

Come Nymphs and Shepherds, haste away
To the happy sports within these shady Groves;
In pleasant lives time slides away apace,
But with the wretched seems to creep to slow.