A SPLASH OF AUTUMN COLOUR (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

A SPLASH OF AUTUMN COLOUR

5:48pm Monday 11th October 2010

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October can be such a lovely month, given bright sunshine and a touch of crispness in the air we just want to bustle around making the most of the time we have left before winter closes in. I can’t believe that I have been in my new home for just a year now. Some things that I planned have been completed and others are still to be tackled, but that is life. October has always been my favourite month and possibly enjoyed even more as its time to put the garden to bed and start to make plans for the coming year. Gorgeous, rich colours are something we all associate with autumn. And even small gardens don’t have to lose out on all the dramatic colours that this season brings.

Smaller trees that excel in giving spectacular colour include Liquidambar, Japanese maple, deciduous azalea and hamamelis. Unfortunately, these do need acid soil to survive but don’t give up, there are quite a few plants that can hold their own when it comes to brilliant colour without needing special growing conditions. If you have a small garden the gorgeous Prunus glandulosa (Alba Plena) is ideal as it is only reaches a height of 1.2m and it will do equally well when grown in a large pot or half-barrel. In the spring it will enchant you with beautiful double white blossom before its leaves turn a wonderful tawny/bronze colour in late September.

A great favourite is the guelder rose (Vibernum opulus) and if space isn’t so much of a problem this could be for you. Reaching a height of 3m it has magnificent displays of scarlet berries borne against purple and orange tinted foliage. Another plant to consider is Cotinus coggyria, also growing to about 3m high which takes the eye with its glowing autumn colours.

Sadly, even with all its glorious colours winter follows on closely behind so we should make the most of every bright day. Perhaps now is the time to make up your mind to plant at least one shrub or tree in your garden so you have your own display of brilliant seasonal colour.

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