When summer’s end is nighing
And skies at evening cloud,
I muse on change and fortune
And all the feats I vowed
When I was young and proud.
The weathercock at sunset
Would lose the slanted ray,
And I would climb the beacon
That looked to Wales away
And saw the last of day.
A.E. Housman (1859-1936)
We are heading inexorably into the final quarter of the year and spring freshness, is a memory long past. Although leaf fall is not yet upon us, they have already dulled in colour and texture and seem to be anticipating their demise.
The great majority of ornamental trees and shrubs produce their flowers in spring or early summer, there are however a few select trees that hold back their displays until summer is in full flow and then produce a show to rival any of their more precocious brethren. The Eucryphias from the southern hemisphere have exquisite, fragrant, white flowers in mid-August and though of relatively short duration they earn their place in any garden. Some are of large size and not suitable for small gardens but E.intermedia, in the variety ‘Rostrevor’ (feature image) makes a delightful small evergreen tree for most situations. I find it easy to grow in my mild situation but I could not recommend it for areas that suffer excessive hard frosts. They prefer an acid soil with plenty of humus and are slow to start flowering but worth the wait. Freely available on line, they are also stocked by superior garden centres.
Albizia julibrissen is small deciduous tree of distinctly exotic appearance. It has small mimosa like leaves on an umbrella shaped head with spreading branches which are adorned with cherry pink powder puff flowers. It always invokes comment during its August flowering and incredulity that it is relatively hardy, even away from my sheltered site. It is tolerant of most well drained soils and requires little attention, although I give it occasional boosts with tomato fertiliser to encourage flower production. There is a spectacular form called ’Summer Chocolate’ (with foliage of an obvious colour) which I tried but failed to grow. I personally prefer the form I grow, called ‘Ombrella’, which survived the “Beast from the East” without damage. Both forms are frequently available in good garden centres and on line.
One might expect that autumn would result in a reduction of gardens open under the National Garden Scheme, however there are still opportunities to visit gardens which deliver a colourful reward at an often pleasant time of year.
Highfield Farm
Highfield Farm which sits within 3 acres of majestic Monmouthshire landscape is a celebration of plants. It provides interest across the seasons with a diverse array of herbaceous, shrubs and trees. There are narrow walks through tall perennials, an experimental collection of hot and tender plants, a garden of 8ft’giants’, and late summer quadrants of asters and grasses and a new mysterious ‘madness garden’. I can also personally recommend the excellent homemade refreshments which my wife and I enjoyed on a recent visit in July.
Highfield Farm has an open day which you can find in our Open Gardens diary and by arrangement visits from May to September which you can find in our Long Term Open Gardens diary.
Treborth Botanic Garden
The Treborth Botanic Garden is owned by Bangor University and provides a resource for teaching, research, public education and enjoyment. Sited in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and including a Site of Special Scientific Interest along the shore of the Menai Strait, it contains more than 3000 native and exotic species in varied landscape areas.
It now has increased interest with the recent transfer of a Gold medal winning Chelsea Flower Show garden designed by Dan Bristow of ’Studio Bristow’ from Bethesda in the shape of Wales. It contains some of Wales’s rarest plants and has the title Size of Wales after the eponymously named charity. This biodiverse garden also won best in category in the ‘All About Plants‘ category. The garden contains 313 native species, reflecting the number of tree species growing in one hectare of threatened tropical forest. It is hoped that this will provoke recognition that our own home landscapes are also under threat.
Treborth Botanic Garden has an open day which you can find in our Open Gardens diary.
All images © Britt Willoughby Dyer.
Glenview
Closer to home is Glenview, Mumbles which is accessed via a strip of woodland that borders Underhill Park. Recently improved this woodland has a large number of recently planted trees and shrubs. Following the path through the woods will lead to a gravel garden in a hidden location.
Glenview has an open day which you can find in our Open Gardens diary.
Willowbrook
Willowbrook, in Powys has been developed since 2013 by the owners own work and design. On a medium sized plot, of irregular shape and mainly south facing, yew and beech hedging has created garden rooms and vistas. Enjoy the late summer ‘hot’ borders with countryside views from a summerhouse. The cottage garden has roses, a large pond, rill, box parterre and sunken garden. The kitchen garden ensures we are almost self-sufficient in vegetables!
Willowbrook has an open day which you can find in our Open Gardens diary and by arrangement visits from 20 May to 30 September which you can find in our Long Term Open Gardens diary.
Grove of Narberth
In a woodland setting framed by ancient oaks and towering beeches with views to the Preseli Hills, the 26 acres of Grove of Narberth contains woodland, meadows and gardens. Features include a historic walled garden, kitchen garden, and cut flower garden. There are extensive woodland walks and the trees, especially the Japanese cherries, are beginning to glow red and yellow in the autumn sunlight.
Grove of Narberth has an open day which you can find in our Open Gardens diary. Pre-booking is essential.
All images © Owen Howells Photography
With the advent of Autumn we must all consider taking our annual precautions to protect against frost, although after last winter’s perpetual deluges, improving drainage is probably of equal importance!
NGS Open Gardens
Welsh Country has two NGS open garden sections. The first ‘Open Gardens’ are gardens that are open on specific days and the ‘Long Term Open Gardens’ which are by appointment only. There is a search facility on each page so simply search for a garden name or an area of Wales (i.e. Swansea) you’d like to visit.
Words: Rob Dyer
Pictures: National Garden Scheme, Annette Dyer, Britt Willoughby Dyer & Owen Howells
National Garden Scheme: Frances Bowyer
