The Upper Bench

The bench covers have come out this week and the furniture on the patio now has its winter protection. However, the bench at the top of the garden will remain uncovered until the start of December. We will be very unlucky if there is any snow before winter proper, but who can really predict in these changing times. 

The upper bench is a favourite spot for everyone who visits the garden, the views and the proximity of the upper pond are major attractions. It also offers a tempting resting place when a break from forking, digging, weeding or trimming is needed. But it also seems to attract feline attentions and competition for a seat can be fierce. I have to remind Hecate and Mili that there are two seats on the bench and we can all share. But they like a rest too, patrolling, scent marking and chasing flying insects must take it out of them!

     

Mili has claimed her spot

 Hecate closes in, she seems intent on a seat....

......but we all share in the end

 

Last Hurrah

The garden is still looking surprisingly good, given that we are now deep into the autumn. The yellow, oranges and reds are still emerging and, at the same time, there are still some remnants of the summer. The patio tubs and wall baskets are still hanging on. I would certainly recommend cosmos and dahlias for extending the season. It is the traditional time for bringing in the tender plants, in particular I will have to find room for about a dozen agapanthus. The conservatory has been cleaned out to make space for the less hardy plants, but given the nice weather, I am reluctant to do anything prematurely, which might detract from the appearance of the beds.

 

Of course there are the autumnal gems emerging for their turn in the spotlight and the cyclamen hederifolium are looking particularly nice with the back drop of the heuchera, green spice.

Even the patio still has some interest and I was surprised to see how well it looks after dark. The light shade of render helps to bounce the light around and illuminate the tubs that still have quite a bit to offer.

Evening temperatures (and daytime) have been unusually mild, so my top tip is never be surprised and expect the unexpected, to paraphrase Oscar Wilde.