The flag is lowered. The Lyre and the Oerlikon folded over and silently put to rest.

 

Most of the month is taken up with wrapping and storage, as we prepare for the months ahead and conserving the artworks. It is good to get this substantial task out of the way so we can look to other things. Many of the mainly improvised wrappings themselves are now showing the ravages of time and deterioration – they will soon need replaced – but better them than the artworks snuggled underneath.

 

All of the wooden benches and objects are moved into orderly retreat in the Temple.

 

Pots and containers are brought into the greenhouses, and there is also quite a bit of potting on here from earlier autumn sowings which have germinated well in the mild temperatures. Perennial beds are now mostly cut down to leave these spaces clear and neat.

 

Colours are changing and leaves falling – and to add to this effect in the future a liquidambar tree is planted behind the Grotto as an eye-catcher or focal point when viewed from the other side of the lochan looking back to the woodland from the Picturesque fence.

 

The trees and shrubs which form the Woodland flute piece in the Parkland are pruned or lightly thinned so that it maintains its formality and structure.

 

On the gable end of the cottage the Virginia creeper is cut back, removed from the chimney stack and lowered on the wall to stop it continuing along the roof. All of the gutterings on the cottage and temple buildings are cleared out of accumulated leaf litter.

 

Acanthus is planted out by the Upper Pool near to the Lucus Umbrosus / Shady Grove pair of stone plaques. It still seems to be a struggle to get these to take in our ground and light conditions – maybe here at last they will take hold and have the intended effect.

 

Some of the sprawling cranesbill in front of the temple of Baucis & Philomen is removed and a hellebore set in at the brick pillar base. A promise of some early spring flowering and contrasting evergreen leaf form. 

 

A new silver birch ‘Trinity College’ is also planted by a turn in the woodland path which leads to the‘Curfew Curlew’ stone. It will make a fine marker and presence there over time.

 

The two boats – the Evermore and the Never Enough are grounded and tipped over so that their upturned hulls will enclose and protect themselves no matter what the prevailing conditions.

 

Throughout the garden the golden yellowy leaves flitter down and need to be gathered, pushed or blown to the side, keeping clear passage. They can be left on the beds as winter mulch.

 

There is a mix of misty mornings, bright breezy days, prolonged dull cloudy skies and dreary drizzle, though it has remained mostly and surprisingly mild for the time of year. Covered over and packed away we await the coming seasons.