October in our Gardens by Philippa Thomas.
Hello Everybody and Wishing Each One Of Us, Happy Autumnal Days.
“If a year was tucked inside the face of a clock, then Autumn would be the magic hour”.
Victoria Erickson.
Autumn is officially here in all its golden glory. Our gardens and courtyards are damp with dew in our early mornings and magnificent spidery silky webs decorate our archways, ladders etc. Even our balcony right now, can provide a sanctuary of calm, somewhere to express our individuality or simply to kick off our shoes and relax with a good book…..Really, Autumn gardens are all about drama. Isn’t our air so crisp as we observe our deciduous trees changing from all tones of harmonious greens to brilliant gold, rich amber and fiery reds. Our leaves are rustling, ornamental grasses swaying; our rose hips and various berries look like clusters of glistening jewels. Again, a well placed bench or chair and a small table in the morning sun and of course for me, a gorgeous mug of fresh coffee can encourage us to slow down and truly appreciate the passing of this magnificent season….Just being outdoors with a sense of purpose can lift our spirits, immeasurably. It is time now, for freshly made soups, candles, wood burning fires and cozying up.
Although some of our days are still glorious and warm, this may be the first month some areas may experience their first frosts, so preparation for winter is in full swing.
“Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower”.
Albert Camus.
AUTUMN IS THE NEW SPRING FOR PLANTING IN OUR GARDENS
A celebration of some of my special pals over this latter part of Covid/Summer
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- Munstead Wood and James Galway, David Austin Roses.
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- Cobaea Scandens, Tonight. A super reliable vigorous vine, I feel it does best, in its second year… then, caput here…! I took 3 cuttings from mother plant and they all succeeded…, just love its sprawl of habit.
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- Plecanthrus, bought at our rare plant club table, approx 3 years ago, overwinters in container, mounted inside house gate….
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- Gloxinia Tubiflora, this beauty came tucked up as a seedling, in another plant pot that I bought at our Club plant table.
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- Tibouchina Urvilleana, has gained RHS Award. I grow inside in Glassroom, it flowers all summer long… incredible, electric blue flowers..
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- Hedychium Greenei, The Butterfly Ginger, bought on one of our club garden trips to Wexford, many years ago. I grow for its foliage, undersides of leaves are a deep burgundy, then over-sides are rich dark, glossy shiny green, coral flowers, follow.
Some plants need to be brought inside in order to help them survive our chilly winter temperatures. Remember, most plants in Autumn put their resources into new root growth before they go dormant, and they can do this because they’re not battling drought or heat.
GREAT NEWS
Scientists at Brunel University are looking at how plants can help clean soil of heavy metals without the need for invasive chemicals. Just imagine some plants can absorb metals from our soils, this is known as ‘phytomining’ and can help clean up man-made pollution. Volunteers will be sent a packet of seeds to grow and are asked to return soil samples and their clippings after 6 weeks.
A new population of one of The UK’s rarest butterflies, The Heath Fritillary has been found in Kent. This butterfly re-appeared as the result of an intricate chain of actions involving wood ants helping to spread the growth of common cow wheat plant, which it lays eggs on.
The underwing of the Heath Butterfly, Melitaea Athalia,
Extremely rare, found in Kent, recently.
Gardening to some, is not a hobby but a spiritual practice and to some of us, a life partner, a constant companion. REMEMBER, YOUR GARDEN NEVER CLOSES, WE SHARE EACH OTHERS SKIES. For some again, it’s the ultimate form of mindfulness. Our gardens can have a head, a heart and a gut and every inch can earn its keep.
Around now, so many Pelargoniums are often thrown on the compost heap but these tender perennials can be kept through the winter if they are protected from frost. This saves money and of course, we can keep our favourite varieties. Then, it also gives us a head-start into next spring and of course, we have the option of taking cuttings, too. I bought a beauty recently at a local charity plant sale, called ‘Voodoo’. It’s best not to cover cuttings as they tend to rot. Place somewhere warm, light and airy and water sparingly over winter, letting compost dry out slightly between watering.
WHY PLANT A TREE?
Well, firstly a tree is beautiful, they enrich our lives. Their leaves create dappled patterns in the sun and then, they change throughout our seasons. A native tree species provides a habitat and food for many species, insects, birds and mammals. Trees in cities have a big effect on pollution, they absorb chemicals and they also physically, remove dust from our air. Globally, trees like all green plants release the oxygen we need to breathe, allowing us to live on our planet. If you literally have no space for even a small ornamental tree, climbers are great because we’re making use of our space, vertically.
Just must tell you, no question about it, an unbelievable plant, this early Autumn is Symphyotrichum, ‘Little Carlow’. Its colour is so intense; it will almost dazzle your eyes. Its flower centres are not the usual yellow and it doesn’t suffer from mildew. This is a tough Autumn Beauty and near to impossible to find but should you get the chance, simply grab it…
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- Just must tell you, no question about it, an unbelievable plant, this early Autumn is Symphotrichum, ‘Little Carlow.’
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- Telekia Speciosa, or Ox Eye’d Daisy, growing in Jennifer’s, one of our members garden. Long Lived hardy giant, improves over the years.
Remember, small changes can have a big impact; the smallest tweak can make all the difference to how our gardens look and feel. WHAT WE PLANT IN OUR GARDENS AND HOW WE LOOK AFTER OUR PLANTS CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GREEN DESERT AND A RICHLY DIVERSE HABITAT.
- Maybe, dress up our doorstep. A trio of themed containers placed by our front door creates a welcome entrance. Terracotta pots are a good choice for spring bulbs as they absorb excess water from the compost and release it back in dry periods. They also allow air to circulate through the compost, ….then you can place bulbs much tighter together in a pot than in the ground, which will give a more impactful display. Spring bulbs don’t need to be planted so deeply in a pot as they do in the ground, so you can choose a shallow wide bowl.
- This is the perfect time to collect seeds of Astrantias, Poppies, Sweet Peas etc. An excellent time too, to take cuttings of shrubby herbs such as Rosemary, Lemon Verbena and Thyme.
- Bring potted tropical plants inside including bananas, eucomis, (pineapple plants) brugmansias, etc..
- Lift tender Cannas and Gingers, (Hedychiums) to avoid frost damage, dry off tubers and store in cool dark conditions until spring.
- Water plants more sparingly as conditions turn cooler and our days get shorter.
- Raise necessary pots onto feet in order to prevent water logging over winter.
- Best to remove buddleia seedlings asap from our gullies and chimneys as they root so easily.
- Try and remove every bit of bindweed root and horse tail from unwanted places.
- Finish picking runner beans and French beans but leave a few pods to ripen fully so you can save the seeds.
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- Succulent, ‘Semponium Sienna’, was runner up at Chelsea, this September.
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- Semponium ‘Destiny,’ again Chelsea, another new cross with an Aeonium, Showing increased hardiness…