By Thea Hegland

Summer blossoms still remain, but something has changed. You feel it in the air, from the cool nights and dewy mornings to the low light in the afternoons. Now is the time to reflect on the garden and ponder “next year” as we stare at much-loved plants ravaged by the deer or the ones still trying to reach full potential for the season…it can be frustrating; putting energy and enthusiasm only to feel deflated. Why can’t the deer just stay away? Surely there is enough for them to munch on in the surrounding bramble? Deer-proof, deer-resistant… what does it even mean? And why did all the tender love and care poured into the Delphiniums this year not reward us with the bounty of beautiful blues we reap each year. It’s all part of the enigma of the secret life of the garden and the creatures that roam.

The Dahlia border, a picture-perfect floral display during late summer and early autumn

The first week of autumn at The Gardens is looking quite promising: sunshine, mild weather and plenty flowers to enjoy. The Dahlia border remains the starring attraction with several weeks of showstopping blooms still ahead. They truly are quite enchanting; the scope of size, shape, form and colour give us plenty to marvel at.

Early fall colour on the deciduous trees and shrubs harmonize with the seasonal blooms of Chrysanthemum. Now in its prime, Rudbeckia (Coneflower) range in colours from warm, golden yellows to rich oranges and browns, blazing red Euonymus alatus (Burning bush) and Sedum (Stonecrop) capture the sentiments of the season.

Rudbeckia (Coneflower)

All this beauty does require some methodical upkeep and now is the time the turf crew carry out the annual lawn maintenance task of aerating the immaculate lawns of The Gardens. Other Gardening staff continue with remedial work as brick paths and garden beds are overhauled. It is quite fascinating to watch the professionals in action, they know what the are doing and the exceptional garden is testament to that!

Plants that are currently blooming

• Abutilon (Flowering maple)
• Achillea
• Aconitum(Monkshood)
• Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa tree)
• Angelonia
• Anigozanthos (Kangaroo paw)
• Antirrhinum (Snapdragon)
• Arum italicum (Lords and ladies)
• Aster (Michaelmas daisy)
• Begonia
• Chelone obliqua (Turtlehead)
• Chrysanthemum
• Clerodendrum bungei (Glory bower)
• Clerodendrum ugandense (Blue glory bower)
• Clerodendrum trichotomum (Glory bower)
• Clethra (Summersweet)
• Colchicum (Autumn crocus)
• Cosmos atrosanguineus (Chocolate cosmos)
• Crocosmia
• Dahlia
• Desfontainia spinosa
• Echinacea (Coneflower)
• Fuchsia
• Gladiolus callianthus
• Helenium (Sneezeweed)
• Helianthus (Perennial sunflower)
• Heptacodium miconioides (Seven-son flower)
• Hibiscus syriacus ‘Blue Bird’
• Hydrangea
• Iochroma
• Lagerstroemeria (Crape myrtle)
• Leonotis (Lion’s ear)
• Lobelia speciosa
• Manettia (Firecracker vine)
• Persicaria (Knotweed)
• Punica (Pomegranate)
• Rosa (Rose)
• Rudbeckia (Gloriosa daisy)
• Schizostylis (Kaffir lily)
• Streptocarpus (Cape primrose)
• Tecoma
• Thalictrum (Meadow rue)
• Tibouchina (Glory bush)
• Verbena
• Vitex
• Zauschneria (California fuchsia)
• Zinnia