THE WEATHER -

After the washout that was August, it was lovely to get some warm sunshine at last! The weather was warm and sunny right up until the 8th, although a cool breeze developed which made it feel quite cold in the shade. However, it was all change again by the 9th, with showers. Heavy rain all day on the 10th, and by the 12th the weather had become definitely autumnal. Feeling quite cold on the 14th, with brief but torrential showers on and off all day. Continuing quite cool, if not cold, with showers, until the 26th, when the sun shone for most of the day, and it was lovely and warm! Back to normal by the 27th though, becoming cooler, with showers continuing on and off until the end of the month. Maximum temperature 26°C (79°F). Minimum temperature 5°C (42°F).

A lovely perennial in flower in the garden this month is Aconitum carmichaelii. This has divided green leaves rather like a Delphinium, and indeed, they both belong to the Buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. The plant bears spires of beautiful purple hooded flowers - hence the common name of Monkshood. A close look at the flowers shows a definite similarity! My plant has grown to an enormous height this year, probably due to the large amount of rain we have had over the summer, and has reached around 6.5ft tall. It certainly creates a wonderful sight in the border.

When the word Clematis is mentioned, many people think only of the beautiful climber with large flowers. However, there are lots of different sorts of Clematis, and this is a herbaceous one which dies away to nothing in the winter, and appears again with new growth from the base each spring. It is Clematis heracleifolia davidiana. It has large and quite coarse leaves along stems growing to around 2.5 feet high, with several blue flowers along each axil. Each stem is topped off with a cluster of waxy pale blue flowers. An added bonus is the wonderful scent. It can grow quite tall and wide when happy, so it needs to be planted where there is plenty of room for it to develop, and needs staking to prevent the stems falling over.

Still on the subject of Clematis, this one is a small flowered climber called Clematis orientalis. Mine is growing up the side of the top Gazebo, and has been a mass of small yellow pendent flowers throughout the month. These turn into silky seed heads, which are a feature in themselves, and wonderful to use in flower arrangements. Towards the end of the month, both flowers and seed heads are in evidence, so you get a visual bonus!

I love unusual perennials, and this is one of them! I only bought it last month, and it rejoices in the name of Eupatorium sp. RCB RA-W4. No, I don't know what it means, either! The plant is quite tall at around 3 feet in height, with light green leaves. Each stem terminates in a cluster of fluffy pale lavender flowers with distinctive yellow pollen as the flower matures. The flowers remind me of Ageratum, and a quick check in my book confirms that both Eupatorium and Ageratum belong to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. I can't find out anything more specific about it, so I don't know if it's hardy or not. It doesn't look it to me, but we shall see!

Most of my Fuchsias are of the medium to large flowered types, but this one is a bit different! It is a species Fuchsia called Fuchsia arborescens, and has typical Fuchsia leaves, but large panicles of tiny pink flowers on the end of each stem. At this time of the year, the plant is covered in flowers, and is a real treat to look at. It is half-hardy, so needs protection from frost. However, mine came through last winter outside with no protection, as I forgot to bring it in, and although I thought I had lost it, and was on the brink of throwing it out, it sprouted again and has never looked healthier! Of course, last winter was exceptionally mild, so I will need to remember to protect it this year if we have our usual winter weather.

Next to purple flowers, my favourite coloured ones are blue, and they don't come much bluer than this! It is Salvia guaranitica 'Blue Enigma'. This particular one isn't hardy in my garden, so I have it in a pot which I bring into the greenhouse over winter, where it gets just enough protection to keep it safe without any other form of covering. It grows to around 2 feet tall, with wonderful spikes of intense blue flowers which are fantastic at this time of the year. This should go on flowering until well into October, and possibly beyond if the weather is kind.

That's all for this month...... Happy Gardening!!

Blackbird, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Crow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Robin, Rook, Seagull, Starling, Swallow, Thrush, Wood Pigeon, Wren.

PUBLIC GARDENS
Patience Strong

Along the High Street people flock, a seething human stream,
And just a few steps from it all, I sit alone and dream.
Tall, shaggy-headed Dahlias look down into my face,
As I drink in the beauty of this quiet and lovely place.

Beyond the iron railings traffic roars and rolls along,
While overhead the bird-choirs fill the air with happy song.
The sodden, tattered autumn leaves come falling one by one,
The bronze and red chrysanthemums are glowing in the sun.

A white swan moves upon the lake where willows dip their gold,
Between the Yews the parish church looks dim and grey and old.
I don't know who has given us this beautiful retreat,
Where birds make song and flowers bloom just off the crowded street,
But thank you, thank you, thank you to whoever it may be
Who gave the town this quiet place - this garden sanctuary.