One advantage of our extended fall has been the dramatic bursts of color that only came out over the last week or so, instead of way back in October. Mike Ball goes for a walk through the Arnold Arboretum and describes and photographs some of the more interesting flora there:

... The other showoff is the Japanese beautyberry (callicarpa japonica). The bush at the top of Peters Hill is a sudden delight. Walk the path to the top and just to the right of the steps going up to the benches (with the nifty Boston skyline views) is a vivid lavender display on drab stalks. ...