November Garden

 

White hydrangea turning pink for autumn

After a month of intensive clear-up of parts of the garden I can now see the shapes and colours of plants that give interest just now. The idea is that there are things to catch the eye (or nose) every month of the year. So how is it doing? 

                                                                                                                                                                             

Happily there seems to be plenty going on this month. I have a golden syrup-coloured honeysuckle called 'Hall's Prolific' which is supposed to bloom until August but is still  flowering away as though it had never heard of autumn. It has a tremendous honey scent and is still attracting the odd bumble bee. 

Lonicera 'Hall's Prolific'

The Garrya elliptica has just produced its  lamb's tails. My variety  is called 'James Roof', chosen because it has the longest catkins and their greeny-grey colour contrasts nicely with the golden privet. 

Garrya elliptica 'James Roof'

The flowers of the hydrangea which started off white, are now a splattery pink, they look good as cut flowers, but I like to keep them on the bush for winter. 

Of course the sedums are still looking ravishing. The one called 'Autumn Joy' starts off quite early in the summer with very pale flat  heads, which gradually turn a purply brick colour (and  are alive with honey bees) and now they are a really rich, regal red.          

                                                                                                      

                                                                             
    
    Early season sedum with honey bee

Sedum in November

                                                       

The new foxgloves, planted in September are a perennial variety and look as though they'll be happy to flower for ages.  I like the way the  golden bronze colour  responds to the low sunlight.                                                                                                                             

Perennial foxgloves

 The witch hazel will flower early next year but in the meantime its leaves have turned an eye-catching yellow. This is its fifth year since planting and the first time it has turned so spectacularly. I have had trouble establishing witch hazels in the past but I guess this is an indication that it has really settled in. 

Witch hazel

And, of course the hardy little cyclamen hederifolium are in clumps in various parts of the garden. It's amazing how something so tiny can have such a sturdy presence. 

Cyclamen hederifolium

I have found several ladybirds in the garden this week. It seem a bit late for them to me but perhaps they know best.