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At this time of year autumn takes hold in our gardens. Our deciduous trees
and shrubs begin to prepare for the winter months and with this process
comes the wonderful myriad of leaf colours, tones and textures. Keep an
eye open for the golden hues, auburns, reds and coppers shown by our plants
at this time of year. Some of the most vibrant leaf colours come from
our trees. The Maples (Acer) give us vibrant reds and gold's and are unrivalled
for autumn colour. Keep a look out also for Amelanchier lamarkii
a fantastic shrubby tree that gives spring, summer and autumn interest,
and Prunus sargentii (Flowering cherry) turning red for
autumn.
Leaf colour is not the only thing to be aware
of at this time. Berries, fruits and seeds add even more colour and interest
to our gardens and provide birds with a tasty snack or two. Clematis
is always a favourite. At this time of year its common name ‘Old Mans
Beard', really is seen, with its fluffy grey seed heads that give a nice
treat for our birds. Pyracantha's (Firethorn) are in
full flight with clusters of red, orange or golden berries, and along
side join the cotoneasters; truly a grow anywhere plant.
Other shrubs giving a last blast of colour are Cotinus coggygria
‘Royal Purple' (Smoke bush), Rhus typhina (The stags
horn sumach) and the unusual flowers of the pheasant berry (Leycesteria
formosa).
Our herbaceous friends are not to be forgotten,
Physalis alkekengi (Chinese lanterns) has its orange
fruits hidden and enclosed in papery orange cases, and the blushed pink
flowers of the Japanese Anemone along with the Kaffir lily (schizostylis)
are still giving us flowers to be marvelled. Not forgetting our old friend
Sedum spectabilis ‘Autumn Joy', aptly named for this
time of year.
With the shortening days and the beginnings
of night frosts spare a thought for our other garden friends. Birds will
take fruit from mountain ashes (Sorbus) and crabs (Malus),
don't be too annoyed they're only doing what comes naturally and after
all they do help with the pests that invade our gardens. Consider also
the hedgehogs another gardener's friend that will ‘snaffle' up those ever
- increasing gigantic slugs that slither across our gardens. A little
tinned pet food will attract hedgehogs to the garden, and don't forget
they will make their homes under leaf mounds and log piles so don't be
too tidy.
Our glorious summer bedding displays are now
nearing an end, and it's nearly time to rip them out and replace with
winter/spring displays. Why not try winter hanging baskets this year?
Certainly they won't give the spectacular colour of your summer baskets
but if planted using a range of shrubs, climbers, herbs and bulbs, they
will provide you with colour and fragrance to take you through the winter
months.
- Clear fallen leaves from beds borders and lawns
- Net your garden ponds to avoid leaf drop
- Clear summer bedding from beds and containers
and replant with winter/spring displays.
- Scarify, aerate and autumn feed your lawns
- Raise the height of cut on your lawn mower and
begin to think about maintenance of this vital machine.
- It's a good time to lay turf for a new lawn
or do repairs to an existing one.
- Collect dead and decaying material in the border
and begin to dead head spent herbaceous flowers.
- Plant your spring flowering bulbs; Daffodils
and tulips are a must!
- Prepare and plant new shrubs climbers and herbaceous
plants.
- Mulch those borders with composted bark or well-rotted
manure.
- Take semi - ripe cuttings of evergreen shrubs
and softwood cuttings of those tender perennials brought in
for winter protection.
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If you want to see autumn colour in its full
glory take a trip to West Park Wolverhampton, or Walsall
Arboretum. Further a field; be dazzled by Westonbirt
Arboretum in Gloucestershire.
Enjoy your gardens folks and remember its
good healthy exercise and you will get 'FRUITS' for your
labours.
Darren
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- Amelanchier lamarckii
- Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple'
- Callicarpa bodinieri giraldii
- Berberis thunbergii ‘Atropupurea Nana'
- Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood'
- Rhus typhina
- Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy'
- Verbena bonariensis
- Schizostylis coccinea
- Viburnum plicatum ‘Mariesii'
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