The Early Autumn Garden 2023

Who is this coming with pondering pace,
Black and ruddy, with white embossed,
His eyes being black, and ruddy his face,
And the marge of his hair like morning frost?
It’s the cider-maker,
And appletree-shaker,
And behind him on wheels, in readiness,
His mill, and tubs, and vat, and press.

Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)

Trellis is an integral part of my garden, providing structure, shelter, plant climbing frame, and importantly in my overlooked garden, privacy. My decking area, which provides a panoramic view over Port Eynon Bay, is both sheltered and concealed by three panels of diamond trellis which form an impenetrable wall of colour. Each panel is individually covered by plants which provide flower and or foliage for substantial periods of summer and into autumn.

The first panel is clothed perpetually by the evergreen foliage of Trachelospermum jasminoides, whose thick glossy leaves become diffused with red as winter advances. If this were not enough, for a number of weeks in summer it is covered in small clusters of highly fragrant white flowers, which perfume the immediate area. It has been hardy in my garden for many years, clothed to the ground, unfussy about soil and requiring only the occasional clipping for control.

Anisodontea capensis ’El Rayo’ sometimes called a ‘Cape Mallow’ is a relatively recent arrival in my garden but has proved a great success and clothes my middle panel. Coming from winter rainfall areas of South Africa flowering commences in April and runs to our first frosts usually in late December. Not strictly a climber but with lax growth which can be tied to a wall or trellis, it gives a long, bright display of pink hibiscus like flowers and, although supposedly tender, has survived in my admittedly mild garden for several years. Happy in any soil as long as it is well drained.

The last of my stalwarts is a classic climber, Clematis ‘Perle d’Azure’. A large late flowering hybrid of long standing reliability, it gives a lengthy display of large blue flowers through the summer months. It merely requires a moist but well drained soil and the classic ‘feet’ in the shade ‘head’ in the sun to perform well. Pruning is simple, cutting back to a low prominent pair of buds in late winter or early spring. Easy and reliable despite some exposure to salt laden winds.

Despite the shrinking hours of daylight there are still a lot of National Garden Scheme gardens open to those of us, who delight in the dazzling autumn colours and the burgeoning fruit.

Bodlwyfan

In the north of the Principality near Menai Bridge, the Victorian garden of Bodlwyfan has adapted to reflect climate change and its dry gravel garden now contains tender plants such as Aeoniums, that survive in milder winters. Large Eucalyptus trees frame a wild meadow and in 2016 elements from an RHS garden designer were incorporated after an orangery was added. The multiple variety apple orchard forms an irresistible attraction for butterflies in September. There is a visible Austrian influence in the winter log store and a greenhouse containing an ancient vine plus other areas for herbs and propagation. Enjoy from the restful summerhouse or sitting on the living sofa.