Jo's October 2021 News and Views

Hello Everyone

Autumn is here again but it has seemed a little contrary this year in the garden. No sooner had the colour arrived the leaves started falling so I had to be quick to catch some of the highlights for you.

First of all the Ash 'Raywood' trees, Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywood', this one in the arboretum, photo 1 and these two at the back of the house, photo 2. A beautiful tree that comes into its own in the Autumn.

Walking towards the Pond Terrace I noticed that the berries on the Holly tree that I mentioned last month had all turned red, photo 3. Just the thing for hungry birds this winter. The border along here has been cleared and looking through the trees and shrubs you can now see the Cornus kousa which was bathed in sunshine creating a lovely centre piece, photo 4. On the lawn near the Pond Terrace was this Liquidambar styraciflua or Sweet Gum tree, photo 5. It was looking very regal in its splendid Autumn cloak. This tree changes colour much earlier than its older counterpart on the other side of the Pond. I think the reason for this is because it stands alone in the sunshine whereas the other one is in the shadow of the huge Holm Oak tree. The top of the tree by the pond is just turning red, photo 6, seen here with the very pretty Hamamelis x intermedia, or Witch hazel. I could not leave this area without including a view of the Pond and the Taxodium distichum, or Swamp cypress, photo 7. The younger tree has already turned a deep rust colour but the older tree is taking its time and is a gorgeous mix of amber and green, photo 8. I had to wait for the sun to come out from behind the clouds but it was worth it!

Moving onto the Pergola Garden I found this red vine there, Vitis vinifera 'Purpurea' a Teinturier grape. It's amazing how the colours in the leaves light up when the sun shines through them, photo 8. In the Wild Garden the Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' was also enjoying afternoon sunshine, photo 9 . Nearby was this magnificent Eucalyptus tree, photo 10. I love the way its bark peels off to reveal the beautiful markings on the trunk. Walking along the New River Lawn I stopped to enjoy the beauty of the Japanese pagoda tree, Styphnolobium japonicum, photo 11. It has decided to stand out from the crowd this Autumn by staying with the most fabulous mix of greens and yellows. At the end of the New River Lawn the Wisteria is making a come back with new growth on the old stump, photo 12.

Through the archway here I stop to admire Steph's display of squashes and pumpkins in the Peach House. The chess theme is brilliant and I loved the detail on the chess pieces, Photos 13,14 and 15. Outside the first of the Autumn flowering snowdrops had appeared, Galanthus 'Barnes', photo 16, taken on 26th October so later than usual this year. Further along the path in the bed along the west facing wall the fruit trees are well established now and this year the hazel supports were planted with Ipomoea lobata, known as Spanish flag because of the bright red and yellow colours of its flowers, photo 17.

As I walked along Bowling Green Lawn I found this delightful bed of mixed grasses including Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus', photo 18. On the Front Lawn the Acer palmatum stood out like a beacon of light, photo 19.

Due to the fact I went on holiday I don't have any new fauna for you except these interesting fungi I found in the Wildlife garden, photo 20. So because it was Halloween there was a pumpkin trail for the kids to follow and a ghostly 'bootanical' walk around the garden on a couple of evenings. Just a bit of fun for the visitors, photos 21, 22, and 23.

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

Best Wishes

Jo