Back at Jodrell Bank as we explored the arboretum nestled amidst natural woodlands, we looked forward to finding our first Sorbus. We were surprised upon finding them that several had already lost all their foliage and some had dropped all their berries too. Luckily the majority still looked good.
Sorbus “Leonard Messell” was a good one to start off with. Its berries were the palest of pink with a deep blush and they were enhanced by finely cut foliage.
With larger berries in a coral pink Sorbus yunanensis looked a distant relative. Its leaves were much larger and far less divided.
Sorbus kewensis was a tall stately specimen of a tree.
Where trees had lost all foliage and their berries hung on bare branches they looked very stark against the clear blue autumn sky.
There were more to be found around each corner as the path took a turn, each with its own special colour, size and shape of berry.
After enjoying so many wonderful berried trees we left the arboretum and spent the last hour left to us while the site remained open enjoying a closer look at the telescopes and the parkland in which they sat. These massive creations of man certainly lacked the delicacy and wonderful colours of Mother Nature’s creations but they did have an attraction of their own when set against the clear blue sky.
greenbenchramblings 