It's a time for taking cuttings, collecting seed and enjoying the vibrant late Summer colour of the garden. Pots line the nursery area full of cuttings. I have also started the process of cutting back the Angustifolia varieties in the Lavender bed as their flowering is now spent. But for the intermedia varieties of Lavender, their season is later and the display still vivid.We have also collected and sown seeds from Foxgloves which we will grow on for next year. It's a busy time as many plants are over and need cutting back with the beds clearing.
But what gives me real pleasure are the displays of Echinaceas and in particular purpurea 'magnus'. This was the grand plan at the beginning of the year, to add more cone flowers to the garden and 'magnus' was key to the plan. The insects love them and the garden is a hum of bees and a flutter of butterflies.
I also love the softer glow of the light at this time of year. It illuminates the late Summer planting quite beautifully and brings out the purples and oranges like no other time of the year. It is immensely forgiving with none of the harshness of the light of early Spring.
But the year rolls on and Autumn approaches. So, best to make the most of things and enjoy them while we can.
