I have been busy pruning back some of the huge amounts of growth that shrubs have put on through the summer months, including the Mexican Orange (Choisya ternata) which was pruned lightly a few weeks ago. Fresh green leaves are already growing back and the plant will soon be full of scented white flowers for the autumn. I love this plant for its hardy evergreen leaves and the fact that it flowers twice each year in late spring and autumn. The Myrtle in the front garden has been ‘legged up’ which means that lower branches have been removed to display the beautiful cinnamon bark that is a feature through the year and is full of berries that will soon ripen and be a treat for the Blackbirds through the autumn. The Teucrium fruiticans ‘Azureum’ (Shrubby Germander) has been a picture through the summer with deep blue flowers that the bees love, but it has grown too large for the trellis that supports it. I have cut it right back to bare wood where I can see buds that will hopefully burst open and grow away. ‘Pruning equals vigour’ is an old saying but is certainly the case with this plant, although it does get damaged by cold winter winds, only to recover and grow even more defiantly! By pruning now, the plant should have time to recover before the worst of the winter weather.
The lawn has had a lot of use this summer with the beautiful weather that we have been enjoying, so it’s time to give it a tidy before the autumn feed goes on next month. The grass is still growing fast, so needs cutting once a week but I am beginning to raise the height of the mower blades to leave it longer. I have already had one session with the wire lawn rake to remove some of the dead grass and moss – hard work but it’s a good idea to stay on top of this job! However many dips and bumps I level there always seem to be more, so peeling back the turf and topping up with loam is another autumn and early spring job.
Mrs McGregor would like more Daffodils planted in the grass near a group of mature trees so we will visit our local Notcutt’s garden center this weekend to buy some suitable varieties. It would be nice to get a selection of plain yellow ones that have staggered flowering times – January to April should be achievable if we choose carefully! I will get these into the ground using a bulb planter to remove plugs of turf and soil to the correct depth, causing minimal disruption to the grass. The bulbs should be unharmed by the lawn treatment next month and will be a welcome sign of spring next year.
Many of the plants in the garden are gradually taking on their autumn colours – the Parrotia persica (Persian Ironwood) is looking very promising this year with hints of deep plumy purple already glinting in the sun. Teamed with the red berries of the Cotoneaster and orange shades of the vine, this could be an autumn to remember!
