Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
23rd September 2023
Bloomin’ Lovely Autumn Flowers
I always think that any colour in the garden at this time of year is hugely valuable as it bridges the gap between summer blooms and the autumn leaf colours. One of my all time favourite late bloomers are the Nerines, as they provide such a vibrant splash of colour and have an almost spring-like energy. The autumn asters, or Michealmas daisies are also good value for money and will even flower throughout November – they are hard working plants that never disappoint and, like the Nerines, make good cut flowers for the house.
Persicarias’s are also hardworking and are appreciated by bees, and other pollinators, especially at this time of year. They will flower from early summer through until the first hard frosts and will be left alone by rabbits. They are classed as ‘vigorous growers’ but not invasive and whilst they do belong to the knotweed family, with the stems having a vaguely similar appearance, don’t let that put you off – as it did one of my clients who pulled it all up from her borders ‘just in case’.
If still unsure and you have gaps of colour in your borders now, pop to the garden centre and buy something that is in bloom – it’s an easy and effective way of getting continual colour all year.
Daisy Daisy
A ‘good doer’ and cheerful grafter in my garden is Erigeron karvinskianus, or Mexican daisy. It’s also known as ‘Fleabane’ because of its apparent ability to ward off fleas when dried, strewn or burnt. Ironically, in full flower it actually does a first class job of attracting insects and pollinators. It has been flowering since April and will continue to do so until Jack Frost calls. It did look a bit tired during the ‘flaming June’ heat-wave but a quick trim revived it and it has been in full bloom since. It is considered by some to be too close to a weed for comfort, as it self seeds with great energy and enthusiasm, but as I always say, you are in charge, so just let it flourish where you want it to. It’s a great ‘softener’ for edges and along paths and will ‘tumble’ happily over low walls and steps.
And – as a great ‘daisy chain link’, – a huge thank you to Abergavenny Garden Centre and Thompson & Morgan who have donated pots of Mexican daisies and packets of ox eyed daisy seeds respectively, for Limitless Trails’ charity event The Daisy Dash 10K tomorrow (24th) at Crickhowell.
The road race – or ‘fun run’, depending on your attitude and ability – is raising funds for the Welsh Air Ambulance and a cancer charity. It starts and finishes at Crickhowell Castle and is just £10 to enter. There is also a children’s run that is free to enter, and well behaved dogs (on leads) are welcome to the event.
The adult’s race starts at 10 am and the children’s fun run round about 10.15am. Registration is at Crickhowell Scout Hall at 9am and you can either enter online at www.limitlesstrails.co.uk/daisy-dash or at the Scout Hut on the morning of the 24th. There will be tea and cake on sale at the finish, to replace all those calories burned.
Ellen Cooke, director of Limitless Trails and creator of the event added, “Please come along and join in the fun and support this event which is aimed at supporting two ‘local legends’ who are both facing huge challenges ahead.”
Happy Autumn Equinox
Whilst the meteorological autumn was ushered in on the 1st September, today (23rd) is the autumn equinox, which represents the first day of astronomical autumn. The word ‘equinox’ comes from Latin and literally means “equal nights”. Today is one of just two days in the year where the day and night are both exactly 12 hours, the other being the spring equinox which is the 20th March next year.
Binky If You’re Happy
Today is also International Rabbit Day and as they have provided a fair amount of material for my column over the year(s) it seems only fair to recognise and share details of their ‘special day’. First celebrated in 1998 by the UK’s Rabbit Charity, the day is designed to promote the welfare of pet and wild rabbits. I had several pet rabbits as a child, including one that was allowed to live in my bedroom and which I took for walks in a little harness and lead – being quick to pick her up whenever we met dog walkers. 30 years later – and 15 years ago – I had a ‘rescued’ rabbit that used to share the house and the garden, via a cat flap, with my dog (Tippy). When we moved to the cottage ‘rescued rabbit’ used to wander along the lane to see my next-door neighbour for breakfast. She always gave him a dried piece of toast and then he’d make his way back home – obviously and cleverly avoiding any dogs (that weren’t as sociable as Tippy) or other hazards along the way. I will always wonder how that daily trip ever initially occurred to a rabbit, let alone the thought process that made it a routine.
If you have a pet rabbit now then please ensure they are vaccinated against Myxomatosis and all strains of Rabbit (Viral) Haemorrhagic Disease (R(V)HD) – all of which they can catch from wild rabbits through a hutch or run.
Rabbits are a popular part of folklore and mythology where they are often portrayed as a trickster and very able to outwit his enemies. My veg garden is definitely testament to that.
In Korean and Japanese mythology, rabbits live on the moon, where they make rice cakes and in one mythological story from Vietnamese culture the rabbit is portrayed as youthfulness and innocence.
And for those keen quizzers amongst you – here are two good words for you; crepuscular and binky. In context, rabbits are ‘crepuscular’, which means they’re mostly active at dusk and dawn and during the night. And I used to love watching my rabbits play and do that sort of airborne handbrake turn when they were happy. Apparently it is called a ‘binky’, and, although I couldn’t find out why, it was rewarding enough to read that ‘rabbits binky when they’re happy’.
Huge thanks for mentioning our Daisy dash