The September garden

I think I fell in love with the garden again this morning. The lines of newly emerged pampas plumes became almost iridescent in the morning sunshine in an ever repeating pattern marching down the garden and I was once again instantly smitten by their quiet majesty. This month’s photos were inspired by the play of light and dappled shadows around the garden and of course the beautiful blue of the sea that frames our days here at Ednovean farm.

September has been a month of adjustments for me, – Should I think of it as finale for summer or a gateway into autumn? There is always that little bit of disappointment that the summer days are behind us and  as I start to watch the garden changes from summer indulgence to autumn contentment. There is a certain quiet peace about the garden this month; a quiet ease about the birds as they move away from their nests; a gentle fading of the light and a final glossy, lush settling of the plants before they settle for their winter sleep.

A statue in the Italian garden

The broad central aisle has now had its last trim of the year

Evening sunshine on a little sheltered terrace

Topiary pots

Fascicularia

bright red Sedums have brightened up the borders with small punctuations of colour

Our little orchard of West Country apples have all but stamped the old hen house now

Morning dew in the orchard

Evening sunlight framing the foliage

The Hydrangeas have faded towards autumn now

The last rays of sunshine hitting the grasses that back a border in the Italian Gardens

The broad showy leaves of the hardy exotic Tetrapanax

Perhaps now is the time to start to plan next year in the garden to examine and a campaign – well there are always plans of course but they have to fit with pennies! I was delighted to be given an early birthday present though – a beautiful Lutyens style bench to grace a corner looking down over the lawn to the sea – I’ve even sat upon it a couple of times in passing!

The courtyard entrance with the tall fronds of the date palms enticing guests to enter

The courtyard fountain lends an gentle rhythm to our days

Wilbur a tabby feral enjoying a bright garden bench under a sun warmed wall

The fading foliage of Autumn and new bulbs ready to plant for the spring

The gorgeous Lutyens style bench was an early birthday present joined by next year’s Echiums emerging from the borders

The sun dappled lawns look so lush and green now

The Date Palms have enjoyed the summer growing lush and tall

St Michael’s Mount framed by the gateway to the horses field

Early morning sunshine touching the tops of the courtyard hedges that form a focal point from the front door

Tall dramatic pampas grass have given a new dimension o the september gardne

The serpentine bank blow the Italian gardens looks out to sea

And as is my custom I added a net of spring bulbs to my shopping trolley to build up our daffodil collection – I’m never fussy about the variety an there are usually some nice surprises among them and I’m always so delighted to spot the first shoots of spring I forgive them anyway!