Our garden plants have endured punishing conditions this year, thanks to repetitive heatwaves with record-breaking, scorching temperatures, and seemingly everlasting droughts from springtime until autumn. This had a particularly adverse effect on plants like roses that need sufficient water to grow and flower well, causing the plants to produce far fewer, smaller blooms and become frazzled, duller versions of their former selves.
Over 430,000 acres of the UK is segregated into gardens; precious sanctuaries where we indulge our horticultural desires and celebrate nature. We are our gardens’ curators, creating personal oases, but have we included the essential habitats that wildlife need to survive?
After the punishing drought and intense temperatures this summer, many trees are dropping their leaves early. Standard gardening advice recommends removing aquatic plants’ foliage in autumn, to prevent decaying leaves enriching the water.
Autumn is such a magical season. Each year, I’m utterly enchanted by autumn; I watch in delight, as the leaves on trees and shrubs turn from green to gold, burnished amber, and a stunning array of fiery autumnal hues. Autumn leaves twirl and dance, as they make their descent, gliding and tumbling through the air, whispering softly as they flutter, before gently landing on the ground below.
