My home town has many rows of Victorian terraces and to get to any of my countryside, wood or park walks, I go through some of them.
While not exactly lying higgledy-piggledy, each batch of terraces forms its own grid dictated by the hillside rather than a uniform plan. Walkers are offered an alternative way at nearly every corner: all being even, my choices are dictated by plants. I visited these three along my walk yesterday.
It’s rare I pass any of my favourite townsplants without slowing down or stopping for a moment to see how they are. I get a few looks from passers-by, and it’s not unknown for the homeowner to shoot out to check what I’m doing, but why wouldn’t you pause?
The tree leaf picture is something of an embarrassment, because I don’t know what tree it is. I’d have guessed beech, but something makes me doubt. The autumn leaves are chocolate-charcoal with lighter backs.
Regular readers may remember my hydrangea path to the pie shop. It’s just one of several hydrangeas I keep my eye on. This is another:
Its flowers are an appealing mix of shades and are rain-speckled by this stage, but it was the orange-red autumn foliage I most wanted to capture.
I could add tens of others, but you get my gist. It takes me longer to get around than if I whizzed by, but my reward is a richer experience.
Shared for Becky’s WalkingSquares and Dawn’s Festival of Leaves.
Susan Rushton 
‘Forest-bathing’ is the way to go– very healthful! 🙂
I just need more forests locally to bathe in. Parts of our area would naturally be temperate rainforest. There are tiny pockets still, giving tantalising glimpses of what must once have been.
Time to replant the forest! Got any acorns? 😉
You should always say hello to your favourite plants and flowers 👍😀🌻🌺😀
I’m on nodding terms, although I do have a favourite tree I say ‘hello’ to but only after making sure nobody is looking. 🙂 It’s under threat inside a fence on a housing estate that is being built and I am so relieved when it is still there. I am pretty sure its days are numbered.
That’s sad. Yes please keep it’s spirits up as long as you can Susan 🌳
It’s atmospheric, leaning over a grave-like hole in the ground partly covered by a big stone slab. Perhaps they are scared to go near it! They’ve already taken down another one I photographed many times.
I real tree spirit….fabulous
beech to me are usually copper coloured at this time of year. Elm posibly? I’m not good at tree ID
It’s the leaf colour that attracts me. Beech and elm have been the suggestions. I’ll check out the bark etc. I thought elm had pointed leaf tips, but the (slightly) uneven bottoms do suggest elm.
I love the colors in every one of these photos. Lovely!!
I’m glad you liked them.
A fascinating method of choosing your route, Susan. Jackie’s front garden in London aroused much interest and many questions from regular passers-by.
There are a few on my routes where I’d love to speak to the house owner as well as some where I have had the chance.
I sometimes get funny looks photographing plants and flowers in other people’s gardens too – glad it isn’t just me! I’d have guessed beech for those leaves too 🙂
The suggestions so far are beech and elm. I’ll check next time I’m passing.
A real joy to have so many plants to greet you on your outings!
A joy how they change too with the seasons.
A colourful autumn nicely photographed for your followers.
Thank you!
I really would bet on elm for your unidentified leaves. They’re quite common around here; it’s one tree I’ve become more familiar with.
I’ll take a better look at the tree next time with that in mind. The leaves are slightly uneven at the bottom, but I’d have expected their tips to be more pointed.
I’m surprised that anyone takes any heed of you at this point; don’t they know you as the plant-inquirer, always inquiring of plants who they are and how they are? That hydrangea looks as though it’s part Concord grape — what a beautiful set of autumn colors there. It makes perfect sense to determine one’s walk according to plants.
I think so. They don’t take much heed, but if you wouldn’t consider a fading plant as being of any value, you might assume my eye had been attracted by ‘proper valuables’ on show inside. I tell myself it’s neighbourly of them to take an interest.