Autumn has got all mixed up!
Tom Pattinson
A garden full of unusual plants and a big collection of fruit and veg in Alnwick, Northumberland.
The autumn leaf colour change in normal circumstances would usually be in full glory in November – but not this year! Some ornamental trees, prunus in particular, began shedding leaves during the summer drought, and others renowned for their late colour,
Cercidiphyllum japonicum for example, are already bare.
Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’ and Forsythia intermedia, however, are as reliable as ever. Sedum and helianthemum remain in full bloom.
We’ve been wading into borders to cut back faded herbaceous growth and prune shrubs. Judy’s been trimming box in ball form and also groups of lavender, but only after bees abandoned them. Privet, hawthorn, beech and mixed hedges are also due a final trim before winter. They won’t be clipped again until June.
Now cabbage white butterflies have left the scene, we’ve removed netting that covered the sprouts. The variety ‘Winston’ is tall, so with autumnal winds in mind, it’s time for supporting canes. By comparison, ‘Musselburgh’ leeks that survived drought need little pampering and are spot-on for winter use. With Christmas looming, 10 large pots were recently planted with second-crop potatoes and placed in the unheated Shoots have already emerged and fleece is standing for any cold nights.
We must transfer three large pots containing citrus plants from the patio into our garden room, where they’ll flower and set fresh fruits. One each of the varieties that form a streptocarpus collection will join them. The threat of frost has sparked our annual salvage operation into action. If a tender outdoor plant can’t be moved or we run out of space under cover, it’s protected in situ.
Early dessert and cooking apples have been harvested, selected and stored in a tower of trays that stands in the garage. Large specimens of later varieties ‘Bramley’s Seedling’, its sport ‘Crimson Bramley’ and ever popular ‘Braeburn’ are next to be picked.