UNEXPECTED DELIGHTS
Autumn often brings unexpected guests. You might be able to watch a scarlet oriental poppy unfold itself from its green pod, shaking out its silk petals as you might a shirt that has been packed too long in a suitcase. This is a flower of early summer, but given the right conditions it sometimes puts on a wild late performance, too. It is only one of the perennials that finds the mild, damp weather that sometimes comes in late autumn a rather better growing proposition than early summer, the appointment we had made for it in our own rather more rigid diaries. Delphiniums often throw up late flowering spikes, too, shorter than the summer ones, but strange and welcome interlopers in an autumn melange that may be predominantly painted in shades of orange, russet and brown. Or you may get spring flowers leaping early onto the canvas, primroses perhaps or double daisies (Bellis perennis).
The effect is of a shambolic army, the troops all marching to different tunes. Only a few stalwarts are proceeding at the pace we expect. Some divisions that should be bringing up the rear are overtaking the leaders. Some which we thought had shot their bolt have regrouped and charged in with new ammunition. It might be a general's nightmare, but for the gardener it can be glorious — provided you do not mind throwing away the rule book. Enjoy, is the message. The show may close any day no when winter arrives in earnest.
Mild conditions at this late season are a boon to all kinds of tender perennials such as salvias and the various types of osteospermum and argyranthmum. These opportunists will be joined by other flowers which can quite properly claim late autumn as their own season. Such is the old cottage garden chrysanthemum called 'Emperor of China', a reliably perennial chrysanthemum with soft, dirty pink flowers. The first petals are quilled, opening out to flat spoon shapes at the extremities. The centre part of the flower, still in bud, makes a dark contrast with the paler pink of the opened petals. As the flower ages, the quill effect disappears and you end up with a pale, fully double flower, spicily scented. A proper frost turns the leaves rich crimson, when it becomes even showier. Try it with brilliant blue Salvia patens and flowery umbels of nerine. When they have died down, it will almost be time to start looking for the first signs of winter aconites. The best gardens never have a metaphorical CLOSED sign on the gate.
Aconitum carmichaelii Arendsii' 'Golden Lhimes and Agapantlius
Depending on the season, these three plants will probably flower in succession, the day lily (Hemerocallis) first, followed by the agapanthus and finally the splendid, witchy monkshood (Aconitum). It has a faintly sinister air about it. Take note of that, for it is extremely poisonous. That's no reason not to grow it though. There are many other things to dig up and gnaw on in the garden before you need to attack your aconitum. The flowers are of the intense deep blue we associate with delphiniums, but they are easier to grow and not so prone to slug damage. They will be happiest in cool, moist, fertile soil with some shade, but they will grow happily in full sun, provided the soil is not starved and dry The agapanthus certainly is happier with sun on its back. Remember this when you are grouping the plants. Plants in pots, root-bound, sometimes seem to flower more freely than those in the open ground.
You can visit this flower guide for more information about this article.
