Fall

Although at September’s end the trees are still green save for a stray branch or two and the air is warm, gusty winds from an offshore storm send the first leaves swirling down. They will be followed by many more in this contradictory season, which is also the Tawes Garden’s most beautiful. The squirrel knows it’s time to gather acorns and collect cattail fluff to pad its nest for winter, yet there are still ample flowers to enjoy alongside the changing foliage. Later on the colors of trees and shrubs will rival any flower before giving way to bare silhouettes. The year will be nearly over before the Garden assumes its quieter winter palette—and even a mild late-November day can fool an Azalea into putting out a bloom or two in earnest of a Spring to come.