Late September interest at Skinners Cottage

The gardens are definitely looking autumnal now and I spent a lot of time yesterday cutting back – a task which I actually rather enjoy. 

However, there is still interest and colour.  Top of the list for colour is a perennial antirrhinum which Rhona gave me earlier in the year.  I suspect it has been generously spread around Amberley already but it has been amazing and is still flowering its socks off.   Rhona tells me that you can take cuttings so I will certainly introduce it into other areas of the garden and I am sure some rooted cuttings will be available at any forthcoming plant swap/sale.

Next up is the Mexican Sunflowers, Tithonia – it has been brilliant this year.  I can well remember the somewhat puny seedlings which I nurtured through the early months, but them they suddenly take off and then they keep delivering. 

 

Third up Bidens Hannay Lemon Drop – I have grown this for many years, primarily in the area by the stable as it tends to be favourite food for rabbits when I have tried to introduce it into the paddock. It always brings a smile to my face when it first comes out. It can bloom from July, but was, perhaps surprisingly, a little late this year.  It will continue until the first frosts and sometimes beyond. 

 

Now to quieten things down, I have one of my favourite plants at all times of year – the gladiolus murielae, also called acidanthera. I bought a feeding trough earlier in the year which is placed by the stables where it will get a lot of sun.  

I have filled it with soil and then on top puts the gladioli, in about 20 pots and they are doing very well.   I did not know until Linda mentioned it, but not only do they look elegant, they have a lovely smell. 

Best Wishes

Rosemary