The autumn equinox came and went this week, leaving us in no doubt that autumn has arrived.
Temperatures have been ten degrees lower than a week ago and even on sunny days the light is noticeably different now.
Autumn light has a unique quality that transforms the garden.
As the sun sits lower in the sky, its rays travel through more of the atmosphere, scattering harsh blue light and creating a softer, golden tone.
Certificate in Practical Horticulture soil testing (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening)
This warmth flatters foliage and flowers, intensifying the rich colours of late perennials, seedheads, and autumn leaves.
The lower angle of the sun also casts longer shadows, adding depth and drama to borders, while cooler, clearer air sharpens outlines and makes details stand out more vividly than in hazy summer light.
Even familiar plants seem newly striking in this gentle radiance.
It is a lovely season, especially when the sun comes out and plants catch the late afternoon glow, when the garden seems to be at its most atmospheric, even if you may need to wear an extra layer or two to sit outside with a cuppa!
Plants for Free taking cuttings (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening)
It has been a busy week in the classroom and garden, with the Introduction to Garden Design students busy creating mood boards for the gardens they are going to design, while the Certificate in Practical Horticulture cohort moved on to learn everything about soil, from how to test your own soil in order to grow the right plants in your garden to how to cultivate it, learning how to hoe, dig and rake a patch where they will be sowing seed and planting later in the course.
We had our last Plants for Free course of the year, with the students collecting seed from lots of perennials and annuals and learning how to save and store it for next year, then taking cuttings from different shrubs and perennials which they took home to add to their own plant collection.
Propagating is such a good way to add to your garden, especially if your friends or neighbours have interesting plants!
If you are looking at your garden and wondering how much colour will be left in a few more weeks you might want to get some inspiration on our excellent ‘Planting for Year-Round Colour & Interest’.
Taught by Norfolk designer and RHS Wisley-trained plantswoman Katy Noon, it is a hugely popular course with a few spaces left.
These are some of the other courses in the next few weeks which have spaces available.
Certificate in Practical Horticulture learning soil cultivation (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening)
Let us know if you’d like to join us:
· Border Renovation – 1st October
· Planting for Year-Round Colour & Interest – 8th October
· Advanced Practical Gardening – 29th October
· Basic Bricklaying – 31st October
· Sustainable Cutting Garden – 5th November
· Your Veg Patch – 6th November
Helianthus Lemon Queen (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening)
Plant of the Week
Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’ is a tall, bold perennial sunflower that brings a joyful splash of soft lemon-yellow to the late-summer and autumn garden.
Originating from North America, it grows up to 2 metres tall, forming statuesque clumps topped with masses of daisy-like flowers from August into October.
It is particularly striking at the back of a sunny border, where its height and luminosity provide structure and drama.
Despite its imposing size, it is easy to grow, thriving in most well-drained soils and tolerating drought once established.
Little maintenance is required beyond cutting stems down in the spring.
Its flowers are magnets for bees and butterflies, while the seedheads can provide winter food for birds.
‘Lemon Queen’ is a classic for prairie-style or naturalistic planting schemes.
It is easy to propagate by division of the roots.
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