Misty mornings, rain, gusty winds. It really does feel like Autumn now. I have resisted buying bulbs this year but those end of season discounts are beginning to look tempting. I had two projects on my gardening ‘to do’ list. One was the new greenhouse and the other, a revamp of a corner of the garden. The greenhouse situation was speedily resolved when I discovered that the local fox had started excavating a rather large hole inside the greenhouse. Another attempt to re-attach the door was made and, no doubt also spurred on by the cost of a new greenhouse, would you believe it, it was a successful attempt. Infact the door is now moving better than it ever has done since we moved in here and so project New Greenhouse has been abandoned. The second project has been started and finished within the week. The new rose ‘Lady of Shalott’ arrived this week which kick started the clearance of the border. Phloxes were divided and re-planted. Kniphofia moved, tulips bulbs unceremoniously turfed out and the rose and a new shrub sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ were added. The zinnias were dug up and optimistically re-planted on the veg plot. Two or three heavy downpours then followed which should give everything a good start. Onwards, now, to this week’s six.
One
The colours in the garden have begun to turn. The persimmon in front takes on reddish hues and behind it the large fig tree moves from green to yellow. Leaves are flying of the trees and sycamore seeds rain down from the skies. This stage just before winter arrives is truly a lovely time of the year. Next year as I once again deal with all those sycamore seedlings, I shall curse a little!
Two
The hydrangeas move into autumn colours at about this time. The effects of the summer drought are all too evident in the blackened flower heads but there are enough of the surviving flowers heads to present a generally appealing appearance – if I close one eye and squint slightly.
Three
The mexican daisy, erigeron karvinskianus, continues to froth its way through the year. This fronts up the border that I have just re-planted and one or two new seedling plants were moved further along to extend their exuberance a little further.
Four
I added in a new anemone to a shady corner at the back of the garden. It’s a smaller growing variety that just suits a front of border position, I wish I could share its name but where has the label gone?
Five
This week’s Six On Saturday links are being hosted by Jim at Garden Ruminations. Jim also posts on his allotment plot (amongst many other things). Recent discussions have included green manures and the benefits of keeping soil planted over the winter. I’m in the third year of sowing green manure seed. This year it’s a mixture of vetch and Westmorland rye grass. Here it is after three to four weeks growth. I have a row of parsnips left on this patch but unless I locate some veg plugs that will be me done for the winter.
Six
Lastly, as usual, a rose to finish on. This is Darcy Bussell, with some salvia ‘Amistad’ in the background. I love this combination.
I’ve a few phlox left over from the divisions, so I shall be trying to squeeze them into the borders somewhere. I’ve also moved some libertia to sunnier spots. At the beginning of the week the ground was easily workable, now it’s much wetter and moving plants will be harder work. It feels like this phase of the gardening year is coming to an end and the next few weeks will be about bringing in tender plants and gathering fallen leaves. I really recommend stopping by Jim’s garden in Cornwall, he’s a plantsman by any definition! Happy gardening everyone, it’s the best place to be!
n20gardener 
The autumn colours on your trees compliment each other. I always admire mexican daisies but worry they will overtake everything else if I plant them in my tiny front border. How quickly – and far – do they spread?
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Just rescued this one from the pending file! They do spread. For me they are fine in the border but the seeds have blown onto the patio and they seem to love they tiny cracks. I’ve let them stay in the corners and at the edge but pull them up elsewhere. I don’t think they are thuggish and they do pull up quite easily.
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My bulbs were ordered some time ago and have been left sitting in the shed, so there seems to be no need for me to get them delivered early. I think waiting for the discounts sounds like a sensible plan to me. The colours on the trees in the first photo are great. I love the little daisies too.
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Just bought a bag of tête à tête with a discount. If you don’t want something special waiting can work.
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It’s good to tell what Jim does other than the Six on Saturday like you did. In the coming weeks I will highlight his great knowledge of plants & camellias. Gorgeous last rose! What details…
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Jim is amazing – year’s of knowledge that he gladly shares.
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I love autumnal colours. We don’t have them where I live … 😦
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Such a trade off, sunnier weather is also appealing!
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I recently bought an erigeron because I like them, I tried growing some from seed this year, but they all failed.
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I have never managed to raise them from seed so resorted to buying some plug plants – now I can’t get rid if it! It self-seeds everywhere – a case of “be careful what you wish for”
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Okay, noted!
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Yes, so far I’m happy with the self seeders. But I can see it could get out of hand.
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Hey Jude is right, if happy they self seed but that was the look I was going for. The seeds have blown onto the patio and are growing in the cracks, there I do have to pull a few out but I like them in the corners.
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I love Darcy, she is wonderful! Also loving your persimmon, what a beautifully shaped tree. The new border sounds great. I’m pleased you sorted your greenhouse out, more money for plants!
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Good result for the greenhouse. More money for plants! I am surprised to see roses still flowering at this time of year, I always thought they were pretty much over by August. My Graham Thomas has flowered again.
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It’s an oh dear for the gh. More in this week’s six!
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Green manure sounds less than appealing. Regardless of how it works, I refer to it as cover crop. Some of what I use does not get tilled in though. I sometimes use zonal geranium, and then pull it and dispose of it prior to planting. Only a bit of its debris stays behind on the surface, but it loosens the soil splendidly
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That’s good advice and very much in line with Jim’s thinking. A cover crop of any kind helps the soil.
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Thumbs up for the cover crop plug. I want people to stop seeing bare soil in winter as a good thing and not to worry over much about what it’s covered with so long as it’s not a seeding or invasive rhizomatous weed.
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Lovely photo of the fig and the persimmon together. I hope my new persimmon can be a graceful as yours. It is only 18 months old, so a way to go yet. Careful pruning needed!
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Wishing you well with the persimmon. I’m sure it’s better suited to your climate than mine!
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