As observed during November 2012
27/11/2012
Last gasp of autumn colour
Ribes vilmorinii planted on the Chinese hillside has the remains of startlingly bright leaf colour. This is a deciduous species native to NW Yunnan into Sichuan and Hubei Provinces of China. Found at 1600 – 4000m through forests on mountain slopes.
By retaining
leaves late into the season it is possibly compensating for leafing out late in
spring. 
The plant matures into a small growing shrub of slender stemmed habit
covered in deeply indented, irregular shaped foliage adding hues of red, orange
and yellow colour to the garden at this time of year.
20/11/2012
Police truncheons; an impending shortage
The media is full of information on Chalara dieback of Ash; Chalara fraxinea. Below are web links that give information on the fungal disease that will cause loss of foliage then dieback of the crown which may result in death of the tree should the spores infect a tree.
The mature specimen in the Garden exhibiting its winter silhouette and distinctive black buds is healthy. The wood of Ash Fraxinus excelsior is used to make truncheons and walking sticks.
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara
Reporting suspected cases
If you think you have spotted the disease, please check the symptoms video and pictorial guide on the Foresty Commisions web site above , and their guide to recognising ash trees, before reporting it to one of the following:
In England and Wales
Chalara helpline: 08459 33 55 77 (open 8am - 6pm every day) or plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
In Scotland
Forestry Commission Scotland: 0131 314 6156 (9am - 5pm weekdays + out-of-hours messaging system) or fcscotlandenquiries@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
13/11/2012
Lawn invaders
At this time of year you may observe two interesting fungal colonisers through lawns. These gain a foothold during dank and humid conditions where they often colonise poorly drained lawns with a sward of disputable quality. More frequently occurring where tree cover is also reducing light to the area.
Yellow Club Fungi, Clavulinopsis helvola: mini pillars of fungi sprouting above closely mown turf. These are an attractive yellow colour making it easily recognisable.
Dog Lichen, Peltigera canina; a fast colonising, grey, ear shaped lichen that
responds to cultural control.
When dry it will shrivel to a crisp yet absorbing water as the weather changes.
Neither the fungi or the lichen are a problem in a poor quality lawn and by definition to improve the quality of the turf good drainage and light quality are essential. Doing this will then reduce the diversity of fungi and lichen found through lawns.
5/11/2012
Ligularia dentata
This species is a native to Japan where it establishes on forest margins and in clearings. When in cultivation; enjoying a position on a stream side with exposure to the sun or in an open border.
The image of the species shows rounded heads of seed all puffed out ready to disperse and act as a seed bank for a future generation of Ligularia.
For images of the Ligularia dentata hybrid in full bloom refer back to seasonal plants of interest of 18th August 2009. Remains of the ray florets can be seen shrivelled and hanging
down from the seed head in the attached image of the hybrid. Contrasting the two; the species and the hybrid, shows the hybrid may be more stunning in flower but the species comes into its own at this time of year.
As observed during November 2011
29/11/2011
Fast and fulgens
Salvia fulgens is set to enter December with flower colour worthy of summer. The warm weather of the past weeks
has extended the flowering season of this evergreen sub shrub. Although perennial it is best propagated vegetatively annually to ensure a fresh batch of plants that have vigour and as a guarantee of winter
survival. Not a plant to survive a prolonged cold dank wet spell through our winter. A native of Mexico with aromatic leaves. The plant develops to 1.6metres in height dividing and growing to form a mass of flowering stems. 
The Labiate flowers are of a deep red that reverberates in the border. The recurved lip of the stigma, protruding slightly from the mouth of the petals resembles the tongue of a snake ready to strike. The upper petal is covered in a mass of hairs giving extra presence to the flower. The papery calyx is long lasting on the stem, gradually turning light brown. Leaving evidence as to the succession of flowering.
22/11/2011
A late entry into the Alpine House
Single golden yellow flowers are perched on the end of 150 - 180mm long stems of this autumn flowering bulb,
from warm temperate Uruguay and Argentina. It is labelled Ipheion hirtellum at the moment. The poor plant has changed name a number of times since being discovered and is now known as Nothoscordum hirtellum. The flowers scent of rubber or deep heat depending on your imagination. 
Pot cultivated and plunged in a sand bed to give a cool root zone but naturally found growing in open grassland where regular rainfall is experienced. A member of the Alliaceae (the onion family); smell the leaves for confirmation.
15/11/2011
A scent to savour
Satureja spicigera, often referred to as “Savory”, a sub shrub with highly aromatic foliage that appreciates the free draining nature of the limestone alpine wall in which it is growing.
Other members of the genus are often sold as herbs, the foliage used to flavour Mediterranean foods.
Combine this with a south facing aspect and the late flowers are a positive bonus. More usually 
flowering in September but the mild weather we have been experiencing has prolonged the flowering season.
Found growing with ground hugging form through the Mediterranean Region to Iran.
8/11/2011
Late autumn colour
Now that the clocks have changed and day length is becoming squeezed visit the garden to kick through carpets of fallen leaves. Appreciate the remains of the autumn colour and the views and vistas created within the landscape
and by the topography of the garden. .jpg "Autumn")
Low early morning sun lights up foliage to great effect. There is still plenty of colour on the semi tender planting to the south of the Front Range. Come and appreciate this before the impending frosts suck the life from the chlorophyll.
From the lawn at Inverleith House are panoramic views south over the city skyline. The mature and majestic specimens of Fagus sylvatica framing the view.
1/11/2011
Dash and a splash of red
The foliage in a strip of Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ planted through the biodiversity garden has turned flame red with autumn colour. 
These plants were stooled down in April, just at the start of the growing season. With a steady supply of
rain and a deep organic soil the dormant buds soon shoot out and by the end of the growing season have reached 1.4m in height.
The resultant display of autumn colour provided by the foliage is extended through the winter by the mass of vibrant red stems.