I'm Seeing Red!

If I were in Italy to see one red toga would possibly mean I see  a magistrate.  Or the red-haired one in France could mean the red wine with more body. 

 If in Spain I told a red joke, it would be considered rude or off color.  If in Japan and the red light comes on, I am in a precarious position.

Last year I was listening to NPR and an author was talking about his new book.  I was most intrigued by this book.  A take on idioms around the world, I'm Not Hanging Noodles On Your Ears and other Intriguing Idioms from Around the World by Jag Bhalla.  He had me hooked as he talked about idioms using color to make their point and how it varies around the world.  

 Needless to say I had to buy this book.  Have had lots of fun reading through it.  If you are an idiom lover and find humor in language...get it!

Here in the United States, seeing red quite often mean anger, frustration, or ready to blow one's top.  OR--Seeing red may just mean I have loads of beautiful fall color all around me. 

 One of my new Master Gardener friends has been teasing me about being drawn to any plant with red foliage this time of year.  We went to a nursery and I went up to each red plant.  Kind of got to be the joke of the day.

This time of year I do love seeing the varied colors in the landscape, but red does jump out at me.  I was happy to find these native blueberry bushes in my woods, some call them Sparkleberry or Dewberry.  Believe this one is Vaccinium arboreum.

Many of the oaks in my yard are also turning red,

even this White Oak.

Of course this gorgeous Dogwood catches my eye every time I look out the window.  The bluebirds feed on its berries.  It is great to see that shock of blue emerge from the red leaves.

Even the forest floor has red leaves.

Ok, quiz time-- Why did Janet buy Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet'?  RIGHT! Red stems and leaves in the fall.  Yes, also a native and a nice shrub. 

And of course this Fothergilla is becoming more and more red as the season progresses. 

Yes, I also have some red stemmed plants.  The Red Twig Dogwood's stems are striking this time of year.  Need to have a background plant to set it off, right now it is the 'holding area' for plants that are ready to be planted.

Here are the beautiful stems/branches of the Coralbark Maple,  Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku'.  In the fall its leaves are yellow, set off by the red color of the bark.  Very nice tree.

Even the littlest Crape Myrtle that was a volunteer in another plant's pot, is putting forth some great color.

All along the woods we have lots of Sumac.  Its color ranges from orange-y red to burgundy. 

Finally, my new Loropetalum that is planted along the side of the front yard....beginnings of a buffer whenever someone builds next door.  This beauty is flanked by  Chamaecyparis 'Vintage Gold' and Cupressus arizonica 'Carolina Sapphire'.  Looking for a nice contrast in color and foliage.

All photos were taken in my yard.  The top photo is our septic drainage field across the street-- full of sumac right now.  The second photo is one of the Viburnum tinus compacta 'Spring Bouquet'.
words and photos by Janet,The Queen of Seaford.