Lush leaf of bear’s breeches (Acanthus mollis) in December
At the beginning of 2016 I promised myself I would keep an eye on Thompson’s Park in Cardiff as the seasons changed through the year, so I have just enough time before Christmas to fit in a snapshot of the park as we pass from late autumn into early winter.
I took these pictures on November 25 and December 9 and in just a fortnight almost the last of the autumn leaves fell. Some berries and seeds remain and there are a few winter blossoms. Please let me know if I have misidentified anything…
One thing I hadn’t noticed before, even though it is very near to the oak I have been following, is this patch of bear’s breeches or Acanthus mollis
The Acanthus flowers have now faded – I should have spotted them when they were purple
The beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) were wonderful while autumn lasted
Another beech in the field part of the park
Glorious colours
This burr (burl) was on another beech trunk nearby
Maple keys
Small-leaved maple with lemon leaves
Maple leaves against dark pine needles
Fallen maple leaves
A pine tree felled by Storm Imogen in February now looks like a sculpture
Berries of cherry-leaved hawthorn Crataegus persimilis ‘Prunifolia’ – I think
The small tree the berries adorn
I think these are pin cherries (Prunus pensylvanica)
…and this is their tree
Daphne in flower in December – I think it is a variety of Daphne bholua
I think this must be a winter-flowering cherry…
…and this one?
Silver furry buds…
…on this tree I can’t identify – but of course I am reminded by Maria at Leafencounter, Brian at Ourgarden@19 and Regina Johnson that it is a Magnolia. Doh! Looking back I actually photographed it in March and it has white flowers!
Glorious beech a fortnight ago…
…now with its bright leaves all over the ground
Other leaves under foot
This still had leaves on December 9…
…I think it’s a sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
The slope between the bottom park and the top field wore daffodils in spring…
…I can’t quite identify the trees on the bank
One of the paths
Tiny birch leaves (Betula) are always pretty
I can’t identify the colourful tree beyond the dead black branches…
These are the red leaves…
…but it also has yellow leaves – and thanks to Maria and Regina again for suggesting it’s an ornamental pear (Pyrus) – and I’m now thinking it’s maybe Pyrus calleryana?
A small Magnolia beside the duck pond doesn’t look very good at this time of year but has big purple blooms in spring
A weeping willow (Salix) is the centrepiece of the duck pond in Thompson’s Park – beyond on the right is a spindly Eucalyptus
As winter comes we will still have the conifers…
…animals and birds have already been at the cones
All my other Thompson’s Park posts are here.
The Squirrelbasket 
Still plenty to see in your lovely park and surprisingly plenty of leaves still hanging on. Here’s hoping you have a good Christmas, not long now.
I love seeing your pictures as the seasons move on, too.
If I’m not mistaken tomorrow is the shortest day of the year – and of course that’s why we have Christmas, to take our minds off it.
Soon be spring!
All the best 🙂
Haven’t even heard of a pin cherry! Think the pic of the catkins is actually a magnolia (?) Might the tree with the red and yellow autumnal leaves behind the dead black branched tree be a pear of some sort? Not sure.. Some things look so familiar and then they turn out to be something completely different! Merry Xmas and best wishes for 2017 🙂
Thanks for all those suggestions.
I hadn’t heard of the pin cherry until one of our regular “tree followers” adopted one – and I could be very wrong.
I think you are right about the magnolia – in fact looking back to March I think I have it in flower – with white blooms!
The pear might also be correct, as I was thinking it wasn’t quite a Prunus. There is one called Pyrus calleryana that seems to look similar.
I will add your suggestions to the captions.
Thanks – and have a great Christmas 🙂
I also think the catkins might be magnolia of some sort, and that the red and yellow leafed tree might be a pear.
Thank you for that. Yes I’m sure you are right and I have amended the captions.
Actually I took pictures of the magnolia with white flowers in March!
Best wishes 🙂
My first thought with the catkins was also Magnolia. What a lovely park to have available to walk through, I hope it is appreciated and looked after. Thanks for the early winter tour.
Thank you – yes – I do actually have pictures of the magnolia in bloom with white flowers in March! Doh!
I’m not sure which park I will adopt next year, as this one has been so convenient – the closest one to home.
Best wishes and Merry Christmas 🙂