The garden is still full of interest in October, thanks to many late flowering herbaceous plants and grasses. The gardeners are very busy this month planting areas that are being developed and keeping up with maintenance tasks such as digging over the vegetable production areas.
Starting at:
The front of the Potting Shed - number 1 on the map
Autumn colour here is dominated by the red and yellow foliage of Euonymus alatus and Acer cappadocicum respectively. These colours are enhanced by the deep yellow daisy flowers of Rudbeckia.
Going through the Garden Gate and turning right, on the left is The Calendar Bed (2)
This steppe border, which uses plants that come from a drier habitat, is now three years old and filling out well. Even though the main flowering time is June to July, late interest is provided by the lilac and white daisies of Asters and the golden arching seed heads of Stipa Calamagrostis.
Steppe Planting (3)
This planting uses the same range of plants as the Calendar Bed. At this time of year interest is provided by the large grass Miscanthus Sinensis ‘Gracillimus’, the starlike blue flowers of Eryngium and the soft flower heads of the grass, Pennisetum orientale.
The Annuals (4)
The annual beds are designed to create a natural, yet contemporary feel. At this time of year they are still flowering well with the stars of the show being Verbena bonariensis with its upright habit and purple flowers and the fluffy flower heads of the tender grass Pennisetum villosum.
Traditional Border (5)
This border has a final flush of flowers this month, with pink and white Japanese anemones. Look under the apple tree for the orchidlike flowers of Tricyrtis formosana and note the reddish flower spikes of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’ and the red spikes of Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’. We will be making adjustments to the planting during October.
The Moist Area (6)
Well past its best by now, the moist garden will be cut back and weeded this month.
Cut Flower Area (7)
This area is only one to two years old and further changes are planned for this month. Outstanding for late colour is Coreopsis ‘Sterntaler’ with its bright yellow daisies that flower from July until November.
Woodland Border (8)
The Woodland Border provides a late flush of colour with the white saucer flowers of Anemone x hybrida, the white tall spikes of Cimicifuga Simplex and the lovely orange/pink flushed fronds of Dryopteris erythrosora.
Mixed Border (9)
Newly planted in May this year, the mixed border has filled out really well. The fading colours of the herbaceous plants are being replaced by the autumn foliage of the shrubs, such as the Viburnum with its red and purple tones.
Early Flowering Border (10)
This area is very diffused and natural in character. Its carefully selected pallet of plants ensures that there is interest from May until February as, once the colour fades in October, the strong form of the plants and persistent seedheads take over.
Potager (11)
This year the potager has been designed in large linear drifts, rather than the more mingled approach favoured in previous years, and this has created instant visual impact. The great late performers here are Ricinus communis ‘Impala’ with its large purple umbrella-like leaves and the soft buff-coloured grass Stipa tennuissima.
Potager Entrance Beds (12)
These beds form the transition between the rich colours of the potager and the other plantings in the area.
Double Prairie Borders (13)
The double prairie borders still look good this month with the grasses in full flower. The upright tall grass is Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ and there are various Miscanthus sinensis cultivars. Most of the flowering interest comes from the pink, red and white spikes of Persicaria amplexicaule, the large purple heads of Eupatorium purpureum and the pinkish heads of Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’ and ‘Matrone’ These borders are interpretations of a prairie without attempting to be too accurate – a natural prairie consists of up to 90% grasses.
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