It’s been spooky season in the garden this month and we’ve kicked off October half term with a Halloween-themed potion trail.
It’s been a relatively mild start to autumn but the last week of high winds has just about finished off the Gunnera. We often get asked why it starts to look snapped and unhappy and there are a few reasons which have combined for an unseasonably early collapse of our giant-stems friends. The long, dry summer caused weakness and wilting which, coupled with an assault of high winds has caused stems to snap and leaves to fall. We have had to cut quite a lot back along the Gunnera Passage to make it accessible from beach Path to Davidia.
The Autumn colour has taken over in the garden and is giving our paths a beautiful carpet of orange and yellow. The Acers by Alice’s Seat are popping against the blue sky every time it shows up to see us, although apparently it’s been the dullest October for almost 60 years; thankfully the colour gives us plenty to keep smiling about through the grey.
Leaves of gold
Speaking of those beautiful carpets of orange, the gardeners have been incredibly busy out with the leaf blowers walking the garden almost daily. I know I have definitely felt it in my legs and last Friday I walked 9 miles!
Although it can look really beautiful and is there a better feeling than kicking up a pile of dry, crispy leaves, once the rain starts they can get slippery and the garden starts to look a little messy.
Path repair
This time of year, after the heavy footfall of summer we start to carry out some maintenance on the paths around the garden.
We have been laying gravel in the water garden which takes some strength and stamina! We use a wheel barrow to transport the path toppings up the slope to the top and then work our way down. We usually add in what look like small speed bumps which act as water deflectors, protecting the path from washout as it rains.
Labels
We’re still working on updating the plant labels around the garden. We’re replacing the wide range of different labels and swapping them out for matching ones throughout. Eventually we hope that most of the trees, shrubs and plants around the garden will all share clear, informative labels.
Natural Christmas
Yes it’s early to mention the ‘C’ word I know! However when it comes to dried flowers you have to be prepared. Without giving too much away for the decorations this year, we’ve been working behind the scenes picking and drying a wide range of seed heads, flowers and leaves from the garden to make into natural decorations. Make sure you come and visit from mid-November to see them.
As we move into darker nights and colder days let’s be grateful for the beauty that surrounds us year round. From the big trees which look majestic throughout the winter, to the abundance of berries on the bare stems that come with this year’s Mast year; focus on the beauty of nature and how it keep showing up through those greyer days. Soon you won’t just be wishing for spring to come around, but instead you will appreciate the simple things that bring joy in each and every day.
Nature sightings:
- An array of funky fungi
- Deer
- Lots of tame Robins
