As observed during September 2011

27/9/2011 

Dahlia delight 

Continuing to power up and produce fresh buds these showy, radiant Dahlia cultivars are not looking forward to the first frost.

Appreciate them now and if the mood takes you nip off the dead heads to keep the plant tidy and help prolong the production of fresh buds.

20/9/11 

Early colour for autumn 

The most incredible canopy of autumn colour is provided by the 12m x 12m spread of Crataegus jozana. Get under the canopy and appreciate the twisted form of the trunk. Fissured bark from the base leading into the branchwork of the canopy. There are occasional thorns, generally on the younger wood; a reminder of this thorny genus within the family Rosaceae. 

The leaves as they colour for autumn engage many of the red/purple hues with the mid rib darkening also. This is particularly noticeable on the reverse. As the leaves drop the buds stand out in bright red on the deciduous wood.

13/9/2011 

A firebrand 

A furry leaved favourite of the nursery supervisor. Holding its own in a warm corner of the back yard is Colquhounia aff. coccinea* Collected at altitude in Tibet this semi evergreen shrub produces terminal flower heads of stunning colour. It grows in grassland and at the edge of light woodland; preferring a sheltered situation in open soil when cultivated here. During a hard winter it will die back; re-growth is rapid if the rootstock survives.  

Typical labiate shaped flowers with the corolla divided into extended lip like parts which are deep orange in colour. The leaves are covered in minute white hairs and exude an aromatic scent when bruised.

*aff. is used in a name where an identification of a plant is uncertain and means 'akin to or bordering'.

5/9//2011 

The late Chestnut 

Not having the stature of the 'Conker Tree', Aesculus hippocastanum, but with its multibranched habit and late flowering spikes Aesculus parviflora is of merit. 

Introduced in 1785 from E.N. America where it suckers through the undergrowth. In the garden here it produces a mass of growth from the base and this slowly reaches 5 – 6 metres in height. 

The terminal panicles are showy with stamens protruding beyond the white reflexed petals. Look very closely and the ivory white style is also present. Unfortunately our climate is not favourable enough for seed production.

For previous years' highlights during this month, see the September Garden Highlights Archive page. 

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