After the success of the Harlow Carr Autumn Plant Fair last Sunday our grass was looking a little worse for wear on Monday morning. We had hundreds of happy plant hunters trekking across the sodden ground with their booty. So, in an unexpected window of dry sunny weather, we got our big push/pull Hayter mowers out and did some rather wet mowing! It does have the advantage of helping the areas to dry out quicker, and stops the grass from becoming too shaggy as we cannot use the ride-on mower at the moment, the ground conditions mean it would be more like tobogganing than mowing!
I removed some rather lack lustre perennial digitalis from the top of the main borders, and replaced it with one we have grown from seed, Digitalis nervosa. A glorious specimen with butter yellow tubular flowers, which I think will compliment the Crocosmia x crosmiiflora ‘Solfatare’ beautifully. We use the perennial digitalis to great effect on the main borders and in other areas of the garden. They are not just woodlanders, but some will thrive in full sun, such as Digitalis x mertonensis with pink sorbet coloured blooms, and the magnificent tall Digitalis ferruginea. Both worth a second glance.
The volunteers have been hard at work helping us continue the renovation of the sandstone rock area, really satisfying to see this area opening up again. The leaves of the numerous Acers are turning gorgeous colours from burnt orange to butter yellow
The new Alpine House is rocketing away, the glass is in one side now, and the structure is visible over the tops of our hedges – a far cry from the mud and water just two weeks ago!
Plant of the week has to be Kniphofia, a much maligned perennial, which has so much to give in terms of structure and colour late in the season. You cannot fail to notice the jaw dropping explosion of orange on the main borders, tall and definitely not to be missed - Kniphofia rooperii.
We also have the creamy-yellow blooms of K.‘Percy’s Pride in the top beds and nestling with Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’, K.‘Ice Queen’ in the bottom!
Back to dodging the heavy showers - ready with the sandbags to save our gravel paths from migrating down the slopes, and enjoying any rays of much needed sunshine!
Sarah Bell
Team Leader – Gardens West