Blueberry Bushes

Talk of blueberries is usually a summer topic, when the bushes are laden with sweet, plump berries for eating fresh or filling the freezer. Actually, now I am thinking of making a batch of blueberry scones with some of the stash in our freezer. But I digress.

My thoughts have turned to blueberries, specifically highbush blueberry bushes, because their leaves are gorgeous. Now, this is the autumn of week after week of stellar fall foliage. Just last week I was noticing the palette of colors on the oaks. Surely, that combined with the shedding of most maple leaves, was the end of brilliant red foliage for 2010.

Then a walk along the shore of Pawtuckaway Lake on Monday revealed still more stunning red color. The wild highbush blueberries continue the color parade into November.

Highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum, along shore of Pawtuckaway Lake