Nature’s First Green is Gold in the Shenandoah Valley

By Stacey Morgan Smith, March 23rd, 2012, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
– Nothing Gold Can Stay, Robert Frost

If you have ever doubted the literal truth of this lovely poem, now is the time to see it in action. As the trees’ leaves unfurl here in the Shenandoah Valley, they appear first golden and then chartreuse before growing out into their own shades of green. Right now is the perfect time to visit Virginia and see Frost’s poem in real life. “Stay gold, Ponyboy.”

chartreuse weeping willow

Pretty Leaves

*** This site is comprised solely of the opinions of its author, Stacey Morgan Smith. She works to promote gardening and tourism in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, from Roanoke to the Potomac River.***

March 23rd, 2012 | Category: landscape views

4 comments to Nature’s First Green is Gold in the Shenandoah Valley

• Charlotte

  March 24, 2012 at 10:55 am · Reply

  I love all your photos

  • Stacey Morgan Smith

    March 24, 2012 at 1:52 pm · Reply

    Thank you, Charlotte! I don’t have anything to can right now…can’t plant the garden, no matter how much I want to, so I’m spending my time taking pics :-) Love your blog, too!!

• kim porter

  March 28, 2012 at 7:24 pm · Reply

  Hi! I just discovered your blog through Homestead Revival! The comment you left about the garden markers was a terrific idea so I was intrigued! I’m looking forward to checking out your blog more, come on over to my Calif. home if you’d like!
  ~kim

  • Stacey Morgan Smith

    March 29, 2012 at 12:39 pm · Reply

    Thanks, Kim! I haven’t made the markers yet, but that’s the one I’m leaning toward. So many decisions!

    I love your blog, and your home is lovely! Thanks for stopping in.