Another month has passed and for me, as a gardener, it has been a bit of a non-event but for the garden with the changing seasons nothing stays still. Gardening time is now limited to weekends due to the nights moving in and over the last few weeks there has been strong winds, rain, and family events so the garden is looking rather shabby – but I did plant up some pots of bulbs and violas this weekend (above).
The field maple, to the right of the path, is always the first to lose its leaves but I always find it interesting at this time of year to see just how much ever green foliage I have in the garden. I do like foliage and will always choose a plant with good foliage over one with good flowers as flowers are so fleeting.
Not the best photo but the best I could do between the rain and the low sun at the weekend. Whilst the color in the photo is washed out with the sunlight this does give a truer impression of the Big Border which is frequently backlit by the sun. The border is benefiting from Symphyotrichum lateriflorum ‘Lady in Black’ and Salvia ‘Phyllis Fancy’. I love this salvia and thought I might have lost it over last winter. It’s too big to lift now so I risk leaving it in the ground with a thick mulch over it. I normally take a couple of back up cuttings but these failed this year due to gardener lack of engagement. The salvia was slow to reappear but it has caught up and is looking stunning.
As you can see the I have a lot of tidying up to do and the grass needs cutting but I have managed to get the majority of the bulbs planted, just the tulips to go in, and I have pruned out some of the willow branches and reduced the large fatsia at the back of the garden.
And I will leave you with a shot of the front garden. I have done some tidying up here as this week the driveway is being replaced so I have had to remove a couple of old lavenders from outside the front door. I’m pleased with the space created which will give me a new planting opportunity and I think I will extend the hardy succulent planting that I have here but never show as it’s still quite young.
As ever everyone is welcome to join in with this monthly meme. You can use it as you wish all I ask is that you link to this post in your post and leave a link to your post in the comments box below – simple!
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