The crocosmia are enjoying the sunshine and the hydrangeas, rudbeckias, phlox and eupatoriums are all flowering later than usual.
As is often the case in a mild autumn, the roses are putting on a second flush and many of the primula are showing a hint of what lies ahead for us, from late winter to spring.
The garden closes for winter next week and whilst I've enjoyed the varied visitors, including folk from all corners of the world, I'm looking forward to the work of cutting the meadows, planting more bulbs and wildflower plugs that we have grown from seed (yarrow, ox eye daisies, meadow cranesbill). I also want to start dividing some of the earlier flowering perennials such as the nepetas and geums. I will leave the plants that are still flowering (crocosmia, phlox and heleniums) until spring.
Two other major tasks we hope to complete before Christmas are the new pond beside the sapling meadow and the "making" of a border along the rose / butterfly walk thin front of the laid hedge. This will of course be done by the "no dig" method (earlier blog post with our method can be found here ) and I think the roses will love it. But it also means that we will need lots of low growing perennials to plant at the feet of the roses.......my favourite "chore" - finding new plants!
I hope you enjoy your garden this autumn wherever you are!
The purple and gold bed in the cottage garden with geranium wlassovianum, inula hookeri and solidago.
Astilbe Mighty Pip
The prairie border with crocosmia Severn Sunrise, Carmin Brilliant & Solfatare and achillea Cloth of Gold.
The old autumn bed today with the pinks and purples still going strong - phlox and monarda among others.
