Yard and Garden – 09-27-2014- Ted Griess/ Extension Horticulture Assistant
It’s that time of year when you might say I’m falling for color. I have often
wondered what it would be like to live in the northeastern part of the United States
where many of the hardwood forests grow. Although I officially don’t have a
bucket list, one thing I want very much to do before I depart this earth is to visit the
New England states during the fall foliage color change.
In July, Rita and I drove to the Door County area in Wisconsin for a family
vacation. There, along the shore of Lake Michigan, we joined my younger brother
Ruben and his wife Lisa and my older sister Jo and her husband Loren. Less than
five months earlier, we lost our brother Jim. It was at his funeral the remaining
three of us decided on a sibling get-together. Reconnected, we exchanged stories
about our childhood days and talked about the ventures we once shared with Jim.
Although heartbreaking at times, we had fun being together. And, as all vacations
do, the time went by too quickly. On our way home, I marveled at the beauty of
the forests of Wisconsin and the rolling lush green meadows and farmland of
southern Minnesota and across Iowa.
As I stated earlier, I’m
now falling for color. It’s
obvious the vibrant colorful
signs of fall are returning to
Nebraska’s countryside.
Perhaps not quite as colorful
as the eastern part of the
United States but still as
beautiful to me, the many
shades of autumn are once
again emerging along the
Platte Valley. Each passing
day, the emerald green
colors of the corn and
soybean fields are
transforming to a warm golden brown. Even the roadside ditches are displaying
hues of many colors. Gold seems to be the most predominant. What a joy it is to
see Nebraska’s state flower, the goldenrod in full bloom! Other golden flowers
such as heliopsis and sunflower can be seen glowing along the roadside and
throughout the adjacent pastures. Tall grasses including bluestem and switch grass
are unveiling their rich burgundy autumn colors. Towering amber plumes of
Indian grass are glistening and swaying in the autumn breeze. The leaves of the
countless cottonwoods along the Platte River will soon be turning a shimmering
gold.
I love the color change in autumn;
however, falling for color leaves me a bit
melancholy. You see, Brother Jim also
enjoyed the beauty of autumn, and as I drive
the countryside witnessing such beauty, my
thoughts often turn to him. I miss him very
much. Jim and I were very close in age. We
were just 18 months apart. We grew up
together. With only one grade level
difference between us, we were often seen
together as teenagers. We were so close
people often would confuse our names. I was
never the annoying younger brother, or so I’d
like to think. He liked having me tag along. In our college days, we were dorm
room bunkies. We even pledged the same fraternity. Our career choice was the
same ―teaching. For a time both Jim and I taught life science in Nebraska public
schools. Although later in life, when our careers changed and we had families to
raise, even though we lived miles apart, we routinely remained in touch.
Whenever we would get together at either one’s home, a tour through the yard to
inspect the flora was always in order. Often we exchanged plants. It was in
autumn with the many color changes our mutual interest piqued.
I know that Jim took the opportunity to visit the Northeast more than once to
witness the autumn foliage color change. He always encouraged me to do so.
Although I don’t have an official bucket list, I do hope that soon I take Jim’s
advice and visit the New England states during the fall foliage color change ―
before it’s too late for me. He’d be pleased that I did.
In the meantime, I will continue to fall for color and enjoy the beauty of Central
Nebraska in autumn.