Pumpkins
Narcisuss spp
Horticultural highlights Autumn 2016, by Shirley Walker
Outdoor Gardens Autumn brings cool misty mornings and mellow, sunlit afternoons, and as shadows lengthen, the first golden leaves begin to flutter down from the trees. Many plants are preparing themselves for the winter to come, like the katsura tree, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, which releases a sweet candyfloss scent, just before losing its leaves. At this magical time of year, Eden’s hidden gems come
into their own, like Myth and Folklore, nestled in its leafy glade, and Wild Cornwall, so evocative of the windswept north coast, with its stunted trees and rare native plants. There are still plenty of flowers to see in the gardens, like the lovely Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’, and the vegetable gardens have some impressive crops on display, including large pumpkins by Beer and Brewing. In November, as shades of burnished gold, rich russets
and purples creep across the landscape, look out for Liquidambar styraciflua or sweet gum – a gorgeous tree with star-shaped leaves and stunning autumn colour. The Persian ironwoods, Japanese maples and Tibetan cherries also add to this colourful kaleidoscope. Throughout December, when winter begins to hold us in its chilly grasp, fiery hues of dogwood stems, Cornus
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alba, and willow, Salix alba var. vitellina ‘Britzensis’ dominate the landscape, and plants like Cotoneaster frigidus ‘Cornubia’, laden with berries, provide much needed food for garden birds. Shake off the post-Christmas blues in January, and
breathe in the beautiful scents of winter, provided by Hammamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ and Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postil’. Drifts of sweetly-scented Narcissus can also be enjoyed, often appearing earlier in Cornwall than in other parts of the country. Look out in particular for Narcissus ‘Treglisson’ – bright lemon yellow with a darker trumpet, and bred here in Cornwall. Colourful Cyclamen coum are also a ‘must see’ at this time of year. The magic of a winter garden can also be found in the
shimmering grasses, glistening seed heads and bright, shiny berries.
Rainforest Biome In the steamy depths of the rainforest, the Malaysian home garden is looking lush and productive, overflowing with chillies, bananas, lemon grass and star fruit, so named because distinctive ridges running the length of the fruit form a star shape in cross-section.
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