Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker - Wayfaring Tree Flower Fairy

My shoots are tipped with buds as dusty-grey
As ancient pilgrims toiling on their way.

Like Thursday's child with far to go, I stand,
All ready for the road to Fairyland;

With hood, and bag, and shoes, my name to suit,
And in my hand my gorgeous-tinted fruit.

Wayfaring Tree is often used as a hedge and is tolerant of cold climates.  It grows to a tall, branching 15 foot shrub.   In early summer it blooms profusely with small, creamy white flowers that turn to oblong red fruit ripening to black. The oval shaped leaves turn burgundy red in autumn. The wayfaring tree is best used in landscaping as shrub borders, as mass plantings, in difficult growing sites as a barrier and for erosion control. The wayfaring tree is useful for flowers and fruiting to attract birds. Often described as invasive - so be careful where you plant it.