Despite the brief glory of flaming leaves, autumn is really a subtle season.
Flowers change to seedheads, pods and berries.
Sometimes these are brilliantly colored, but, in many plants, these final gifts of the season are tinted with elusive hues only seen on close inspection. Predestined changes occur at different rates. Graceful Change Miscanthus gracillimus displays her grace best on breezy autumn days when her flowing skirts and feathery plumes toss and sigh. In the garden, the change from silky wine hued flower to fuzzy seedhead takes weeks to occur. I found, by accident, that it happens almost before your eyes if you cut the flower and bring it inside to warmth.