11th October 2020

Autumn has arrived with its heavy rain and strong winds and in the garden we are thinking and preparing for the year ahead.

In the Vegetable garden we are harvesting Squash, Salad crops, Kale and Apples and Pears and planting out the last of our winter vegetable seedlings- with fingers crossed.

In the Greenhouse we still have Tomatoes and Red Peppers.

Mermaid is the yellow rose still flowering up the Ginkgo tree

The Del has suffered from a huge Chestnut blowing down which has created a large open un shaded space. Plans are afoot for this area and a central lawn will be made in the Spring- after we have replanted the bluebell, cyclamen and snowdrops that will first appear there.

The Autumn Border has a wonderful collection of Asters, and the Dahlias are adding their colour to liven up the bed. Look out for the  pretty combination of Autumn Crocus, Ajuga and Callicarpa beside the path in the stream garden

Bright pink Nerines are always spectacular in front of the Hall and on the other side of that wall we are growing the orange spikey Ginger-Hedychium Gardnerianum

The urns are still looking good with their Fuschia and Geranium. The Oleander in pots will soon need to go inside for winter protection but the annual ‘Apple of Peru’ will continue to look good with its physalis-like dark seed heads.

The beds are bright with Dahlia, Asters and Red Hot pokers and don’t miss my autumn favourite -the wonderful bright pink shrub with pea-like flowers- Lespendeza.

What bright pinks and oranges we have to warm us on these chilly Autumn days!!!

The swans are still here but they are definitely stretching their wings-won’t be long!!

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker