This Summer has been one of the hardest growing seasons the team has ever experienced. The dull, wet start meant that we suffered from 'slugageddon' losing many of the Delphiniums among others to slugs. The lack of light meant that plants put all their energy into growing taller, literally reaching for the light, and not so much into flowering. Then when the sun did come out it baked everything meaning that flowers bolted and came and went really quickly!
But, we are ever the optimists, and are excited about Autumn. Gone are the days where gardeners 'put the garden to bed' at the end of October. Now we aim to leave as much in the ground as we can to provide winter and Autumn interest with rosehips, berries and seed heads. The roots all help to keep the soil together and the plants continue to provide winter food and habitat for wildlife. The trick to all of this is that it still takes border management, the aesthetic is still important. If plants flop too much or go soggy they will be cut back as and when needed. As Garden Designer, Piet Oudolf, once said, 'It's just as important to manage the aesthetic of your 'dead' plants in the border!'
The Autumn also gives us a chance to concentrate back on the plants. Hopefully the mowing and strimming are done, or at least minimised, which gives us time to check on tree health around the landscape garden. We will also have another look at all the viewpoints across the garden and book in any winter view pruning that might be necessary. Many of the seats and buildings in the 18th century garden have what is called a goosefoot design which means that three or four views might radiate out from a central point, therefore resembling the shape of a goose's foot. And from these lines is often the captured view, so part of our work is keeping these lines of vision clear. We like to review it when the trees are in leaf but then also double check branches once the leaves have fallen.
In the formal gardens it's a good time to take stock, figure out what gaps need filling, and move any plants around. Autumn is a great time for planting and making changes whilst the soil is still warm enough for the roots to settle in. Some of these gaps will be filled next year from semi ripe cutting material taken in August, some will be sown from seed and grown on, some will come from divisions in the herbaceous borders and some will be bought in.
It's a great time of year to visit the gardens. We all love those crisp sunny autumnal mornings.
Hestercombe Gardens Head Gardener, Claire Greenslade
