September in the garden

As we come to the end of September I look at the garden and feel pleased that it's still looking good. I've been able to sit back and enjoy the garden during August and September, or just potter around doing a bit of deadheading.

Up until a few years ago the garden always started to look quite tired and drab from late July.  So in the last few years I've  started to think more about planting for late summer colour. I've now got rudbekias, heleniums, michaelmas daisies, sedums.  This year I've also  grown dahlias for the first time in ages and I'm quite pleased with them. There are quite a few grasses too which give interest most of the year round and at this time of year take over the show as the earlier flowers die back.  I feel that I'm starting to get it right.

This month we've had such extreme weather changes from heavy rain at the start of the month and then going quite cold, to seeing summer return in all her glory.  I find it quite odd to be sitting in the garden soaking up the warmth of the sun, a very hot sun, and yet around me the leaves are beginning to take on their autumn tints. I noticed the other morning that the drive is full of fallen leaves, and I need to start sweeping them up to put in the leaf bin.
 
Tomorrow is the start of October, the weather will change again, flowers will die, but I look forward to the colours and changes to the garden it will bring.