flowers and vines in Lavaux - october 2016

amanita muscaria
​fly agaric

iconic mushroom that likes various deciduous and evergreen trees in a symbiotic relationship, preferably pinus (pine) and betula (birch)

pelargonium x hortorum  geranium

personally not my favorite annuals as their colors can be too bright
(although great on Swiss chalet balconies...)
​
but as autumn arrives on some varieties the leaves turn dark red and they blend in more natural with the other striking colors of fall

populus tremula​
European aspen 

not to be confused with populus tremuloides - quaking aspen
that is native to the cooler areas in North America

the European aspen can be found anywhere in Europe in areas with cool summers 

​these ones were seen in Valais (CH)

callicarpa bodinieri
beauty berry
​
​this is the season where this shrub shows its beauty: purple berries that look almost unreal

hypericum
st johns wort
​
semi-evergreen shrub that produces red berries next to its yellow flowers in autumn

late october was harvest time in our 'petite' vineyard

we had to wait till the grapes had achieved sufficient sugar content

​(minimally 65 degrees oechsle was required)

our first real harvest amounted to
​86 kg of chasselas grapes...

Lavaux's gold ...

populus tremuloides

ricinus communis 'sanguineus'
castor bean

tropical perennial that was grown here locally as an annual

bright red seed capsules
​
burgundy leaves

asters
typical flowers of late autumn!

short or tall.. white, yellow, and any color pink, red or purple...

they prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

our chasselas grapes were brought to the local cooperation who produce various wines on behalf of the smaller vineyards in our area