Page 11 - Oundle Life September 2024

CHANGING SEASONS
Later Summer and Early Autumn in the garden
As the leaves around us start to transform
into their autumn hues and the temperature cools, you may think that it is time to just
tidy your garden and leave it until the shoots of spring appear next year. September and October are actually the perfect months to enjoy a last burst of colour in our gardens. Think of autumn colour and it is usually trees and shrubs such as Acers, Liquidambar or Sorbus taking the autumnal limelight, showing off their seasonal tones. However, there are plenty of flowers looking their glorious best at this time of year too, and some even buck the seasonal orange and yellow trend.
Some of our favourites to look out for include Alstroemeria or Peruvian Lilies. These small lily-like blooms are borne in clusters on top of
a leafy stem. They come in an array of colours including red, orange, purple and pink and
white. Rudbeckia is a fall classic. With their daisy like flowers around a black or brown central cone, they are easy to grow. They vary in height with the smallest reaching around 25cm to the tallest over two metres. They love full sun and whilst they will tolerate light shade, they will flower less. Sedum is a succulent perennial that blooms in a variety of colours from bright pinks to deep purples. Their flowers are a magnet for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
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