Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
3rd October 2020
Blessed Pets
The Saxons used to call October Wyn Monath, as it was traditionally the season of wine making. I had to smile at Welsh One Show presenter, Alex Jones, who admits that for her, this time of year is all about log fires and red wine – but that’s drinking it, not making it!
Tomorrow (Sunday) is St Francis Day and before migration was understood, it was thought that traditionally on this day, swallows flew to the bottom of ponds to hibernate for the winter, which explained their disappearance. The fact that swallows skim the water surface for insects probably fuelled the idea.
St Francis of Assisi, born in the 12th century is the patron saint of animals and the environment, and normally on this day, Yogi and I would be heading off to St. Michael’s Church at Llanvihangel Crucorney near Abergavenny, for their annual Pet Blessing.
Although, I have to say that Yogi is blessed every day, and me even more so for having her in my life.
Colour Me Happy
With a bit of planning and/or luck, it’s easy, and very rewarding, to keep great splashes of colour in the beds and borders at this time of year.
I have always loved Nerines. As a young gardener, I thought they were an exotic plant and couldn’t believe my luck when I realised they were equally as happy in south Wales as their native South Africa. Providing powerful pink patches of colour, the autumn flowering Nerine bowdenii are also available in white, as well as various shades of pink. They also make great cut flowers and as the 18” stems are brittle and easily snapped (especially when a Yogi shaped terrier runs through them), just put the casualties in a vase and they’ll keep blooming cheerfully indoors.
They are really effective in a tub or container too, and can then be moved to a prominent place once in bloom.
Asters also provide a late autumn perennial punch, adding great late interest and colour to beds and borders. The Michaelmas Daisy group is unfussy and undemanding and they are great value for money. With varieties of all sizes and colours, there is a place in all gardens for them and they too are long-lasting as cut flowers.
The perennial sunflowers are also lovely for extending colour into late autumn, and are really underrated, in my opinion, with most people choosing the annual varieties. They are easy to grow, great in a vase and will add a welcomed sunny splash of yellow to your garden from late summer through to late autumn.
For something smaller, and more delicate, autumn flowering cyclamen will provide pretty carpets of colour now. There are varieties of Cyclamen that flower in spring, summer, autumn and winter and they are ideal for the front of beds and borders, in rockeries or as drifts under trees.
If you are a bit short of colour in the garden now, pop into your local garden centre and see what they have available that is in flower. A relevant tip year-round, it’s an easy, fool-proof way of ensuring you have colour in your own garden for that particular month.
Don’t forget autumn leaf colour too. You don’t have to have a large garden to enjoy autumn leaves; there are lots of small trees and shrubs suitable for ‘bijou’ gardens too. Look out for Euonymus Alatus – although a rather unassuming green shrub for most of the year, the common name of ‘Burning Bush’ gives a clue to its screaming reddy-purple autumn leaf colour. Acer palmatums are famous for their autumn colours and although annoyingly spiky, some of the Berberis varieties have lovely autumn colours – as a way of redeeming themselves, I’m sure.
Big Walk, Big Result
I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the ‘social distanced’ Big Walk for Prostrate Cymru this year. Along with a fabulous team of readers spread across Wales, and with celebrities including Terry Walton, Matt Murray, and Scott Quinell, we all walked 26 miles throughout July when and wherever we could.
It was an inspiring idea from the Prostrate Cymru Team who recently announced that the grand total raised was a ‘blistering’ £62,330.03
The trustees and Prostate Cymru team pass on their immense gratitude to you all and I would like to think Chris Leyshon personally for being so patient in herding me up in the first place – and for my medal!
Creature Comforts
Ever since Yogi had her cruciate ligament issues she has gone part-time in work. She used to come with me every day but now prefers to have a few rest days at home each week. Preferably the wet days.
I always leave the radio on for her when I go out and similarly I am far more likely to light the fire for her, if I think she’s a bit cold, than for myself. I never thought anything of it until I recently read the new research from Confused.com which reveals that the average energy spend per ‘pet household’, from leaving the TV, lighting, heating, and fans in hot weather, on just for our much-loved pets, amounts to over £100 a year.
Swansea was number 4 in the top ten cities that spend the most on their pets, with an average annual spend of £178.73.
Apparently, over a quarter of pet owners are happy to leave the heating on for their pets whilst they are out and dog owners across the UK are spending a staggering £33.7 million on washing their four-legged friend in nice warm baths.
The study also reveals that dogs receive more luxuries than cats do, with many dog owners cooking them food to give them something warm to eat. And I hope Yogi doesn’t read this as whilst 28% of pet owners put the radio on every day for their pets, 25% leave the television on every day. Sadly, I read that a lot of dogs have put weight on during lockdown and now I wonder if they are also snacking in front of the TV!
You can see the full breakdown of costs here: www.confused.com/gas-electricity/energy-for-pets and I for one am delighted to see that we take such good care of our furry friends.
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