End of September, Early October in the Gliffaes Garden

What’s happening in the Gliffaes Garden?
End of September, Early October

 

Quietly, colour changes are happening in the garden as we head for October and autumn.

A patient wait for one of my favourite trees to berry has almost been rewarded; the first few berries are appearing and soon they will turn pink and blue, but for now the Clerodendrum trichotomum is a cloud of bright capsules and some emerging green and pink berries. In the next few weeks, it will be a riot of fuchsia and blue berries.

Rose hips are excellent this year but in particular these huge lantern-like ones, which are abundant on the rose bushes “Rosa moyesii Geranium”.

There is more flaming red colour on the Euonymus alatus (Winged spindle) and the many red cotoneaster berries around the garden. 

Other plants and trees are beginning to change and this Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a beautiful combination of dark reds and greens at the moment.

 The tree that has given me the greatest delight this last few weeks is the Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum). It‘s not a big tree and its heart-shaped leaves have changed to a gorgeous golden and pink colour. As they fall they give off the most delicious caramel fragrance. I walk past it every evening to shut my chickens in and find myself scooping up handfuls of the leaves and waiting a moment while I inhale the wonderful sweet smell.

What’s happening in the Gliffaes Garden? End of August to Mid September

What’s happening in the Gliffaes Garden?
End of August to Mid September

Things really start to get interesting in the garden again about now. I wonder if it’s all the rain that has made the first berries so spectacular this year?

Viburnum rhytidophyllum

The Viburnum rhytidophyllum (leather leaf) has been a sight to behold with bright red, almost shiny berries; and a little further West towards the hotel the huge Berberis (parviflora?) is really beginning to make a show. We are not sure exactly what type it is and are still working on it. I guess it was planted when Gliffaes was built or in the early days of Gliffaes around the turn of the last century.

Berberis (parviflora?)

Clerodendron trichotomum

I have been waiting patiently for one of my favourite trees to flower and more importantly to berry….and it’s nearly there – the Clerodendrum trichotomum first gives us small Jasmine-like flowers, followed by pretty pink capsules, as shown here. Soon, it will be a riot of fuchsia and blue berries – watch this space and I will report as they come out!

Cornus mas

In the same bed is another small tree, the pretty Cornus mas (cornelian cherry). Its “cherries” are just beginning to turn red now and you can see both of these small trees just next to the courtyard.

The Flame creeper (Tropaeolum speciosum) planted by my Grandfather, Sam Brabner, is looking fantastic. It is a very special twining climber, which we are extremely lucky to have. It has bright blue fruits surrounded by deep red calyces and I will be happy to show it to anyone who would like to se it!