MNN - Mother Nature Network

It’s well and truly autumnal in the garden. I still have the beautiful blooms of rudbeckia, osteospermum, and french marigolds bursting throughout the borders. Achillea’s and Verbena’s are still gracing the air with reds, golds and purples, and magnificent sedum’s are preparing to burst into life. But there’s a chill in the air. Plants have begun to withhold their thriving growth. And the first signs of leaf drop have begun to appear.
 
With its blooms truly brown and faded it’s time to commence hard pruning of Buddlia’s. I hadn’t meant to allow mine to get so large, and in fact, I’d been contemplating removing it altogether. That was however until I was visited by a truly spectacular and stunning visitor. Whilst I’ve been largely disappointed with the so called “butterfly bush” this year, having only attracted a couple of comma’s and a plethora of cabbage whites, I looked out one evening last week to discover a hummingbird moth flying about its purple blooms. I was astounded. Its long tongue dipped in and out of nectar filled flowers, its wings whirring faster than I’ve ever seen anything move, a small buzz as it flitted from one bud to the next.  Having never seen one of these delightful creatures I dashed into the garden to try and get snap happy but, of course, in keeping with its wonderful name, there was no way I could get a picture of this beautiful insect. Whilst it was gone as quickly as it arrived, its left a lasting impression, and saved the life of the dear old Buddlia bush which has been pruned back to an inch of its life, but remains in the ground nonetheless.
 
Meanwhile, as gardeners across the country prepare to prune back and prepare their gardens for winter, it’s also an ideal time for sowing next years hardy annuals! Having never done so before, I’m intrigued to find out how well this works. Of course, only hardy annuals can be planted — species such as Californian poppies, cornflowers, sweet peas and honesty. Sowing annuals in the autumn is ideal for those who love the intensity and abundant flowers that these varieties provide and whilst they will no doubt need a little winter protection in a frost free location, an early burst of vibrancy next year will definitely help to banish those winter blues. Simply sow these varieties now, germinate on a warm windowsill, and then set out to harden off. As the colder weather continues place your tiny seedlings under cloches, cold frames, or in a greenhouse, and look froward to enjoying an early annual show next spring!
 
Growing plants at home, whether from cuttings or seed, is also a fantastic way to be as sustainable as possible with gardening. Whilst great pride can be taken from seeing plants reared by your own, fair greenfingered hands maturing and providing blooms, your carbon footprint can also be hugely reduced. No greenhouse heating emissions from growing plants aboard. No travel costs from shipping beautiful specimens into the country from thousands of miles away. No car emissions from travelling to the garden centre to fill trolleys with flowers and foliage and shipped in, plastic bagged compost. Simply walking down the garden, enjoying the fresh air, and sprinkling some seeds onto moist compost is as eco-friendly as you can get. And if they’re seeds harvested from previous garden specimens….even better.
 
*This blog was originally posted at www.theguidetogaygardening.com
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