Leaf peeping

Ah, this autumn is really glorious.   I have been meaning to photograph the lovely mulberry trees for days.   And this afternoon I finally managed to be in the garden rather than merely driving past it.

The one in the courtyard is just at fetching. Except for some strange white growth – a fungus? a mildew? a dread disease – on many of the limbs. You can’t see it when the leaves are on, but now that it’s ‘fall’ you can see the unhealthy state of the branches.   I’ll post a picture for fun.  

But I must consult Nicolas when he comes on Monday. I suspect he will suggest I do what all Ardeche farmers do. Just spray it with Bordeaux Mixture, that’s the cure all for all things agricultural.   They love it.   It’s copper sulphate. The darling of vines, wines, fruit crops and just about everything else.

Actually I did use it a bit once I found a brand that was colourless and not glaring blue.   But I’ve decided to let my plants try and cope for themselves these days.   The vines in the courtyard always get some blistering mystery affliction, but I think the attack is growing less dramatic as the years pass.

Maybe the courtyard mulberry will be the same. But it is certainly spreading.