The highlights of the autumn garden are some of the most heart warming and surprising. Maybe it’s the rich fall colours that seem to glow, even on dull days. Maybe it’s that lush burst of growth of the grass, encouraged by morning dew and more frequent rainfall. The gardening year is far from closing, there’s plenty to do to make the most of the season and prepare for the future.
There is a treasure trove of seasonal plant material on sale in garden centres and nurseries. Even if it’s still alive, get rid of summer bedding from those patio containers and pots. There are lots of wonderful autumn and winter container plants that will really brighten up the patio and doorstep: violas, pansies, heathers, heucheras, cyclamen and a host of foliage subjects. Many of these will stay looking good through winter.
Flowers
There are also all those lovely spring flowering bulbs to plant in preparation for another season. Plant any small bulbs such as snowdrops, iris and fritillarias as soon as possible. They deteriorate quickly if left out of the ground for long. Hold off planting tulips until late autumn. If planted to early they can suffer from frost damage or the disease ‘tulip fire’. Daffodils and narcissi can be planted at any time.
Clean up!
Leaves are falling, so keep gathering them regularly and do not leave them lying on the grass. It’s best to mow them up with the mower on a high setting if possible. This chops the large ones coarsely and adds a few green grass cuttings that help the composting process. It is certainly much less backbreaking than raking; quicker too.
Plant things
Remember that autumn is the best time to plant new trees and shrubs, also to move anything in your garden that needs relocating. Some shrubs will give instant impact if planted now, they can also benefit wild birds that visit your garden. Cotoneasters are a great choice. Tiny white flowers in spring that attract bees and other pollinators, scarlet berries in autumn and winter that the birds really enjoy. If you are thinking of a planting a tree, think beyond spring blossom. Sorbus and malus both have colourful fruits that provide winter food for birds if you can tempt them to something organic away from the bird feeder.
Be trendy
If you choose just one shrub to plant it has to be a hydrangea: these have gone from being old fashioned to super-trendy in the past couple of years. They are at their best in autumn when their brighter colours fade to something far more sophisticated and beautiful, before they turn parchment in winter. For flower arrangers, this is the time to cut them and dry them to preserve their faded beauty.
Whatever you are planting ground preparation and careful planting gives the best results. So fork over the ground and mix in plenty of garden compost or shrub and tree planting compost. Dig a hole that’s plenty deep and wide enough and plant firmly. Always stake and tie any new trees securely.
