Autumn Colour

Dark red trees in local Caledonian Park 

The colours of the leaves this autumn are wonderful. I've taken pictures of my own garden and the local park - they are not the most spectacular but they are lovely. 

Leaf colour comes from natural substances, primarily chlorophyll (green), carotenes (yellow), and anthosyanins (reds and pinks).  The depth of colour is to do with the blend of processes and weather conditions.

Bergenia leaf this autumn

Cold Nights: low temperatures destroy chlorophyll so the green leaf changes to yellow  but if temperature stays above freezing anthocyanin production is enhanced and the leaves take on a red colour. 

Dry Weather: sugars become concentrated in the leaves, more anthocyanin is produced and so leaves are redder. 

Bright Sunny Days: although the production of new chlorophyll stops in autumn, photosynthesis can still occur on sunny autumn days using the remaining chlorophyll. Sugar concentration increases, more anthocyanin is produced and the leaves are redder. 

                                                                                 Pictures of the Magnolia stellata with privet hedging

The colours have been there all year round. It's when the green goes that the other colours become visible. This year has been so very dry and sunny that there are lots of red leaves around. 

The tomatoes and the aubergines are over now. Both this year were miniature versions of yellow tomatoes and tiny aubergines. You can do all sorts of things with the aubergines and I shall certainly get them again next year. 

Mini aubergines, useful in all sorts of ways