Jo's News and Views No 10 October 2024

Hello Everyone,

Another month of weather that just couldn't make up its mind as to what it wanted to do! Hot, cold, wet and sunny, I think we had it all. However, the garden never seems to mind and takes it all in its stride. So apart from losing their leaves quickly this year there has been no further damage. 

There was Autumn colour everywhere in the garden so here is the first one. The Acer griseum or Paperbark maple in the car park always looks good with its leaves turning many shades of red, photo 1. In the Arboretum this Red Oak or Northern Red Oak, originally from North America was looking lovely too, photo 2. Not completely red but all different shades, photo 3. The Front Lawn was full of interest too, photo 4. Unfortunately, the Juglans nigra or Black Walnut tree is always one of the first trees to lose its leaves and doesn't have a chance to turn red. 

Walking along the path towards Bowling Green Lawn, I stopped to enjoy the view of the Headache Tree Bed, photo 5. The Umbellularia californica, known as Oregon myrtle or Californian bay laurel depending on which state you are in, is also known as the Headache tree. Apparently, if you spend to much time inhaling the aroma from the leaves it can cause headaches?? This year I spotted fruit on the ground underneath the tree and found more still on the branches, photo 6. I have not seen this tree with fruit before so I am not sure if this is a rare occurrence or I have just not noticed it?? 

My next stop were the Glasshouses. They were full of colour and delights. In Glasshouse 2, the Aeschynanthus radicans 'Hot Flash' know as Lipstick plant was in full flower, photo  7. The flowers are such a vibrant colour. Nearby was the Haemanthus albiflos known as Paint Brush for obvious reasons, photo 8. A new one for me was next, the Petrocosmea 'Paul Kroll', photo 9. The flowers reminded me of violets. In Glasshouse 3, the Justicia carnea or Brazilian plume was flowering, photo 10, and above our heads the Aristolochia grandiflora or Dutchman's pipe was still going strong, photo 11. It is the most extraordinary plant and became known as the Dutchman's pipe because when it is viewed side on it has a general S shape, rather like some tobacco pipes. Moving on to Glasshouse 4, which is always locked, I was lucky to see Gary who unlocked it for me to have a quick look. Gary has been working on a nerine collection which is coming along nicely, photo 12. This one caught my eye as it's called Nerine 'Hotspur', photo 13. Not the correct colours for the Tottenham team but gorgeous anyway. Finally at the end of my visit there was this exquisite plant called Rotheca myricoides or Butterfly Bush, photo 14. So beautiful and I think we can all see how it got it's common name. 

Moving on to the Tulip Terrace these white Anemones looked fabulous in the afternoon sunshine, photo 15. Whilst in the Wild Garden nearby the Rhus typhina or Staghorn sumac were putting on a show for us, photo 16. In the border were these Liriope muscari, photo 17. A plant worthy of its place in the garden for the Autumn colour it provides. Walking along the path towards the Rose Garden I stopped to enjoy the sunshine coming through the plants and trees in the border here, photo 18. The bark on the trunk was an amazing sight. Everywhere around the garden there are cyclamen growing. Here are just a couple I saw, photos 19 and 20. Finally, in this area is the beautiful Hamamelis x intermedia, Witch Hazel 'Diane', photo 21. The Autumn colour on this small tree is fabulous and I wish I had room for one of them in my garden. 

Walking around the Pond to the Terrace I stopped to enjoy one of my favourite views in the garden. The Cortaderia selloana or Pampas grass complementing the glorious Taxodium distichum or Swamp cypress, photo 22. More favourites were further along the path, photos 23 and 24. No round up of Autumn colour is complete without the Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywood' or the Ash 'Raywood'. An absolute beauty! 

My fauna selection is quite small this month. There are mushrooms/fungi growing on the lawns in several areas, photo 25 and this must be the last dragonfly of the year, photo 26. 

Finally, I hope you haven't bought your 2025 calendar yet because as a fundraising effort this year I have produced a calendar featuring some of my favourite photos of the garden at Myddelton, photos 27 and 28. We will be selling them for £12 each including an envelope and postage. However, they will be £10 if we can hand deliver them in the Enfield area. Please email me if you are interested. 

I hope you have enjoyed this wander around the garden with me. 

Best Wishes 

Jo