Spindle-tree, Euonymus europaea The woods are rich and mellow. Sunlight discovers colours hidden away during November days of rain and murk. It is warm and bright as a summer’s day. Green catkins show on hazel, with silver birch shedding leaves of gold. Today, the feathery sunlit fruits of Clematis vitalba are Traveller’s Joy. Its other name of Old Man’s Beard is for less resplendent days
Berries mingle in the woodland fringe. Fleshy red yew arils peep from dark foliage, holly berries show against blue sky, with pink spindle fruits and arcing branches of hawthorn berries.
Berries mingle in the woodland fringe. Fleshy red yew arils peep from dark foliage, holly berries show against blue sky, with pink spindle fruits and arcing branches of hawthorn berries.
In a fringe of woodland at Helsington Barrows there’s a slender spindle tree with a rich crop of fruit. We go there directly and linger until November sunlight reaches down through the trees, illuminating pink capsules that split to reveal orange seeds. All is offset by a foil of gold, autumn foliage and pale sunlit tree bark. When we return at mid-day the spindle-tree is in deep shadow. In summer, Silver Washed Fritillaries sped through the shadows and over the sunlit bramble flowers. Their larvae overwinter, hidden in tree bark
Last Saturday, redwing and fieldfare flew calling above us. Today, only the call of a mistlethrush. It is calm and still and so warm that winter thrush would seem out of place.
In the gardens of Sizergh Castle we return to the spindle I photographed last week and find a second spindle tree called Red Cascade, a shrub with deep red leaves. I don’t think I’ve seen a richer crop of spindle fruits and today the light is perfect.
I like to see seasonal transitions, the fruits of last summer on spindle alongside buds for the coming spring. The last golden leaves on hazel whilst the twigs are thick with new catkins. Early next spring, I should look for holly blue butterflies which favour spindle. And, during June to September, the night flying spindle ermine moth is possible.
Last Saturday, redwing and fieldfare flew calling above us. Today, only the call of a mistlethrush. It is calm and still and so warm that winter thrush would seem out of place.
In the gardens of Sizergh Castle we return to the spindle I photographed last week and find a second spindle tree called Red Cascade, a shrub with deep red leaves. I don’t think I’ve seen a richer crop of spindle fruits and today the light is perfect.
I like to see seasonal transitions, the fruits of last summer on spindle alongside buds for the coming spring. The last golden leaves on hazel whilst the twigs are thick with new catkins. Early next spring, I should look for holly blue butterflies which favour spindle. And, during June to September, the night flying spindle ermine moth is possible.
More images of spindle on my gallery.
All photos and text copyright
All photos and text copyright
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