The dry summer now seems ages ago as it has barely stopped raining since October and the river levels are rising.  However, this has meant a good planting autumn and the last bits and pieces for this year have gone into the back garden.  The most notable additions have been two sets of fruit cordons – three apples and three plums.

Apple cordons 3 December 2019

Plum Cordons 3 December 2019

Overall, the garden is now looking like this.

Back garden 3 Dec 2019

The large number of Gaura in pots have been saved from the front garden, where we’ve lifted all of the instant colour that we put in for the summer in order to get some structural shrubs in over the autumn.

Front garden Dec 2019

We will be returning some of the Gaura to the front and putting some in the back in front of the Pyracanthas and also putting back some of the Dahlias, which are over-wintering in the greenhouse.  Other Dahlias will find new homes on the allotment.

One element of the front garden that has matured very quickly is the herb garden and even in the depths of winter we are getting plenty of fresh herbs for the kitchen.

Herb garden Dec 2019

We are starting to notice the first signs of emerging spring bulbs, so we will be checking up on these as spring 2020 progresses to see whether there are gaps that will need filling next autumn.  One of the great joys of gardening is that you’re always looking forwards, making it an innately optimistic pastime.