I am afraid that this has to be another very brief post this week. I did at least cut a vase of flowers this morning and so have a lovely bunch of late flowering white gladioli to enjoy, but there was no time to take any photographs to share them with you. Instead I have a few autumn shots that I took a couple of mornings ago which I hope you will enjoy. October is one of my favourite months of the year – atmospheric, abundant and romantic all at the same time.
The leaves are starting to fall on a daily basis – especially on a windy day. Although everyone else in my garden is keen to work hard to keep the grass clear I love to see the leaves covering the lawns and paths and to enjoy the crunch under my feet as I take my daily walks with the dogs.
Aren’t these crab apples beautiful – a real autumn joy. I planted 3 trees in the spring of 2015 – all crab apple Red Sentinel. Although the trees are still very small this year the branches are covered with these beautiful bright red crab apples. Not only does Red Sentinel produce lovely fruit – the pink and white blossom in spring is exquisite and is the real reason I planted these trees. I am looking forward to a future when these three trees will fill both my spring and autumn vases with branches full of their beauty.
My recently planted Liquidamber tree can be relied upon to provide stunning autumn colour that starts in late September and should last well into November. This is a tree that I am anxious to see reaching maturity!
Finally there is still plenty of colour in the Cutting Garden, although I have started to cut back to make way for planting both spring bulbs and the June sown biennials. The dahlias are still looking gorgeous but I am beginning to feel we are on borrowed time now as the first frosts must come soon. Whilst I am anticipating the end of the season I am also making the most of every day that I can walk through this beautiful space. It is hard to believe that the yew hedge that forms the boundary is only 6 years old and the large willow you can see behind the yew hedge is only 4 years old – it is surprising how quickly maturity can come to a new garden.
Although I am vase-less this week I am still going to indulge in my Monday habit of linking up with Cathy at Rambling In The Garden and I hope you will pop over to her to see a few proper Monday vases!
I have had another tough week with my mother – she was admitted into hospital as an emergency again yesterday – for the 3rd time in 5 weeks. I am hoping that this time they will be able to get to the bottom of her problems and hopefully send her home when she is on the road to recovery – the roller coaster we have been on for the last 2 months has been truly exhausting and nothing would make me happier than to see her restored to health. Most of my time each day is taken up with caring, hospital visiting and phone calls, but I am still trying to save a few hours in the morning for my garden. Today I started planting tulips and am hoping to get more into the ground tomorrow morning. However bad things are a few hours outside in the garden always lifts my spirits and the combination of autumn beauty with spring preparations is truly life enhancing!
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Yes, those crab apples are beautiful and I love that you’ve been enjoying late flowering white gladioli. That sounds lovely. Somehow I’m not receiving your posts in my reader lately–will check on that further. So sorry your mother is not well. Glad you can spend time with her, and also happy you have carved out a little gardening time for yourself. Take care Julie.
So sorry to hear that your mum is still unwell. Is she staying with you in between hospital stays; I seem to remember that she lived at some distance from you. Take care of yourself Julie.
Very sorry to hear about your mother’s troubles, Julie. I can imagine how a few hours respite in the garden with all those gorgeous autumn colours would be heaven-sent.
And what an amazing Autumn we are having, Julie – perfectly captured in your beautiful photos. I hope your Mum’s health problems are resolved soon – to have her lovely daughter there to offer support and care and to cherish her must be such a comfort.
What beautiful photos Julie, and how rewarding to be seeing the benefits of some of your more permament planting already. I do hope your Mum gets a diagnosis soon so there can be some sort of stability in all your lives again. In the meantime it is good to hear that the garden helps to raise your spirits
Beautiful photos Julie. I hope your Mum gets given some good care and attention and can go home soon. Good luck with the tulip planting! I managed to get mine in between rain showers last week. 🙂
Julie, your garden is still lovely and the colors are bold and beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Julie,
I’m sorry to hear your Mom is not well and hope she recovers soon. Your garden is very beautiful in autumn and I’m glad it can be a source of comfort to you in times of stress. I’ll be thinking of you…
Lisa
Beautiful photos and wonderful color! All the best for getting to the bottom of your mother’s health issues.