What's happening in October
The autumn border at the bottom of the garden is filled with flowers and ornamental grasses that are at their best in September and October. The Coral plant (Berberidopsis corallina) a climber on the front of the house, is looking wonderful. There is an excellent display of autumn colour from maples, parrotia, red oaks and many other ornamental trees and shrubs.
What the gardeners are doing this month:
If the weather turns cold during October we will give the lawns a final cut before cleaning down and storing mowers for the winter. We will continue to tidy up beds and borders, but any plants sporting seedheads will be left as winter food for the birds. Our plans for the winter months ahead will be finalised, and will include clearing and tidying of the rhododendron bank above the car park.
Birds and wildlife to look out for:
Deer, foxes and rabbits are regular visitors to the gardens. Badgers have been foraging for the grubs in wasp and bumble bee nests.
The resident garden birds are much more visible than they were during the summer, having finished their annual moult. Wildfowl and geese on the lake are more noticeable too; some are residents, others are winter visitors from further north.