October 2023
The great garden tidy
Now’s the perfect time for a pre winter garden tidy up, no need to be too scrupulous though. Spare a thought for garden wildlife over the colder months - they’ll need shelter and food so leave some logs, leaves & seedheads around.
Any leaves should be cleared from lawns, paths and ponds in particular. If you have a lot of them, consider making leaf mould, it’s so easy to do. Simply pack damp leaves into bin bags, tie them up and pierce a few times and leave for a year and you’ll be rewarded with crumbly goodness for your garden.
Clear away fallen foliage from roses, as this could contain spores which might cause black spot.
Chop spent beans & peas (including sweet peas) off at ground level, leaving their roots behind which will fix nitrogen in the soil.
Remove any redundant plant supports and empty any containers past their best, ready for new planting.
Remove shade paint from greenhouses.
Apply a slow release granular fertiliser to borders.
Repair and re-seed any areas of lawn as required.
Now is the perfect time to tackle these tasks and introduce any new plants whilst the ground is soft and still warm.
Spooky season
It’s hard to avoid the abundance of fiery oranges and burnished copper tones all around us at this time of year.
There’s a huge selection of plants whose fruits and foliage provide rich autumnal colour.
Our updated shade area houses a wide variety of acers, all undergoing their seasonal colour shift.
Crab apples have so much to offer too. If you want a compact tree that performs quickly, then they’re a great choice. Laden with beautiful glossy fruits in rich burgundy, bright yellow/orange or blush followed by clouds of blossom in spring. They’ll flower and fruit when two or three years old.
Pyracantha (or Firethorn) is heavy with red, yellow or orange berries at present with white flowers in spring. Pollinators love it and it provides a great shelter or nesting site.
Phormiums are also putting on a real show, their upright leaves like the licking flames of a bonfire.
We have a Rhododendron whose leaf undersides appear coated in a deep red velvet (Rhododendron Wine & Roses).
There’s so much seasonal colour at the nursery right now, These are just a few highlights.
Take a moment to appreciate autumn and it’s spectacular show, before the festive season gets a grip!