THE WEATHER -

Warm and sunny up until the 10th, which was dull with light showers in the morning. The 11th was very dull and cold for the entire day, but no rain, although we are desperate for rain! Warm and sunny again until the 15th, when heavy showers in the afternoon finally gave much needed rain (though still not enough!) Sunny again on the 16th and 17th, but with a cold northerly wind. Warm again though on the 18th, and remaining warm until the end of the month. Heavy rain again on the 23rd, but still not enough, and the garden was looking very parched. Turning very cold and windy on the 28th, but finally, very heavy rain for several hours gave the garden the much needed drink it had been waiting for! Dry and sunny again on the 29th, but quite cold. The 30th was very mild - positively warm - with sunny periods and a warm breeze! Maximum temperature 28°C (80°F). Minimum temperature 3°C (38°F).

Anemone japonica is a fairly common clump-forming perennial, but is no less wonderful for all that! It has lovely green leaves, and flowers which tower up to around 3ft tall. The one pictured is a white variety called "Honorine Joubert", and is lovely for flower arranging. Once the flowers have faded, little round green button-like seed heads extend the period of interest. It spreads slowly by runners, and if planted in the wrong place, can be very difficult to eradicate, as each piece of root left in the ground will regenerate into a new plant.

Vitex agnus-castus latifolia (Common Name, Chaste Tree) is a large deciduous shrub or small tree, whose lovely spikes of mauve flowers are very welcome at this late time in the year. It seems to be quite a slow growing plant, and mine is only about three feet tall after about four years. Vitex agnus-castus seeds are used as a herbal remedy for various disorders, mainly in women, and more information about its usage can be seen at:
http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Herbal/atkin23.htm.

I love Fuchsias, and have a variety of them in the garden, both hardy and half-hardy. This is one of the hardy ones, and is called Fuchsia magellanica aurea. It can grow to several feet tall if not cut back by frost (which mine always are!), and this particular variety has beautiful yellow foliage which really shows off the lovely pendent red and purple dainty flowers. The yellow foliage really brightens the border at this time of the year. I also have the variegated variety of this, which has pale grey and white leaves, but the same flowers.

One of the most prolific climbers in the garden is the lovely Eccremocarpus scaber. It is not desperately hardy, and needs a sheltered position. I have mine growing up a north-facing wall, also a south facing fence, so it doesn't seem too troubled by the aspect. In very cold winters, it can appear to be killed off, leaving brown, dry stems, but come spring, it bursts forth into life again and begins to merrily climb for all it's worth! It begins to flower around April or May, and remains in flower more or less until a decent frost stops it! That means it can potentially be in flower for most of the year. It's very easy from seed, and mine seeds itself all over the place, especially in gravel!

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.