Page 50 - Phonebox Magazine October 2008

A Month in the Garden
Linette Applegate of Toddington Manor
Summer is over, Winter is on the way. But don’t by disheartened, Autumn is here! All those wonderful golden hues of dying foliage and crispy seed-heads can look wonderful in the morning light. Grasses are wonderful this time of year and add structure to any garden, whilst for a splash of colour, Autumn bulbs shine like jewels. Add to these the colourful tones of yellow, red and orange of autumn leaves before they drop, and enjoy the cooler days with the sunshine slanting through the trees before it really gets cold and wet!
Before the end of October, plant bulbs for next year except for tulips, which if planted in November have less risk of developing virus. The damp atmosphere provides ideal conditions to carry out all lawn work, either creating new lawns or repairing, aerating and scarifying existing ones.
Herbaceous perennials can be tidied up for winter, unless the old flowers or seed-heads are deemed attractive in their own right. (Birds may also benefit from this decision.) Cut old foliage right back to the ground and remove any debris. K
www.applegategardens.co.uk
Plant of the Month Nerine bowdenii
Despite its delicate appearance during in the low autumn light it somehow looks just
September and October, this bulb is a robust perennial which originates from South Africa, but is hardy in the UK.
Surely the most alluring autumn-flowering bulb, with shocking pink flowers, the wavy edged petals opening from deeper pink buds on naked stems 30-50cm high. The colour may not be to everyones taste, but
great. Their faint scent mixes with the fragrance of sweet autumn berries.
The flowers are long-lasting and the strap-like leaves emerge after flowering and last well through the winter. Nerines are best planted in free-draining soil where they can bake in the sun, and remember to plant the bulbs in the spring for a fine display next autumn. K
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50 Phonebox Magazine