Purple tree

I would later learn more about it, but for the moment, I remain charmed and baffled by the purple-painted tree, in its own separate zone and with accompanying bench, in the middle of this lawn.

That's no photosynthesis I know.

This post's theme word is senesce (v intr), "to grow old or decay." In their safe, slow sencescence, Swarthmore shrubs sometimes stain strange shades.