Winterberry Ochre, crimson, merlot, claret, honey-brown, and cinnamon-orange are the island’s colors of autumn. New England – even southern New England – is known for its dramatic fall foliage colors. The mainland hardwood forests burst into flames of color: the reds, yellows, and everything in between, seem to glow and radiate color from within. Leaf-peeping excursions are standard fall activities throughout New England. On Block Island, September, October and Nove

If you are going about your day on Block Island in early September, you can not help but notice large billowy-white snowdrifts of flowers. Look closely and you will see not one, but thousands of small star-like flowers massed together on a matrix of sturdy vines. When I first noticed Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis ternifolia) years ago I thought of it as a real beauty. The flowers, in their form and glowing whiteness seemed to almost sparkle. They present themselves – almost