Beautyberry In Winter

 

In the autumn at the height of their ripeness this shrub's berries were a brighter orchid, almost plastic-shiny, nestling among bright green leaves. Now, they are shriveled and the colors have faded like the upholstery on an old chair left in a sunny spot. The birds will still be glad to have them. They are sustenance on frigid days. In the meantime, the tawny stems set off those berries nicely, a perfect complement from the opposite side of nature’s color wheel.