Autumn 2020

Three years in the garden next month. When I think about the weather over those 3 years then I have to believe in climate change - extremes it seems to me, have now become the norm. When it's dry it's very dry and very hot, when it's windy, it's often very windy now and when it rains, oh my goodness, it rains, and it rains constantly and the extremes are becoming more extreme each year ... or so it seems, as I say. However, the garden has, in some cases, responded really well. Wet and warm winters on free draining soil, haven't caused too much rotting off - although daffodils don't seem to naturalise as well as they could? My young trees though, have enjoyed long spells of water - luckily they've never had to sit in it for weeks on end.

I've been looking back on photos of the garden so far - really interesting to see the changes over the 3 years in photos taken at a very similar time and from the same spot. The trees make a big difference to the profile and balance of the garden. Also, as the shrubs I've planted begin to mature, the opportunity for crazy annuals like the Nicotiana sylvestris is less available so it's wonderful to see just how incredible they can be when they have space and light - I may never have plants like that again! The garden is developing a personality, breathing and growing and making its own decisions!

Some of my choices I'm still mulling over. Whilst I love the colour that the Sambucus 'Black Lace' brings, I will have to prune intelligently if I want to prevent it from overshadowing others in the bed. Likewise the Melianthus major that I bought at a recent plant fair in South Cerney - I've always wanted one and, despite knowing in my heart that I don't really have the room, I was carried away with the scent of peanut butter. On coming home, try as I might, it doesn't sit well in the garden. I had thought it could go in front of the Sambucus for a lovely colour and texture contrast. That would happen, but so would the less happy merging with the perennial Sweet Pea and the Lavender. He's heeled in to the middle of the border for now but may find himself in a large pot in the spring, snuggling up to the chocolate cosmos that will need potting on next year.

The only dahlia that has been happy this year is 'Totally Tangerine'. The others, 'Blue Bayou', 'Mambo' and 'Ragged Robin' have all succumbed to the gastropods! I waited to plant them out until they were well on their way and put copper collars around their bases, but still, they were targeted! Bugger! I will only lift 'Totally Tangerine' as the others have proved themselves not to be reliable!!

Star performers this year have been Aster frikartii 'Mönch', Salvia 'Royal Bumble', Rose 'Sally Holmes', Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle', Malus 'Toringo Scarlet'. Many others have also been wonderful but these stand out to me for their everlasting contribution through at least 3 seasons.