Winter drawers on

In September, dahlias are at last allowed to bloom without those tragically intoned words: ‘What, dahlias already!’ being heard. (Christopher Lloyd, The Well-Tempered Garden)

Yes, no sooner are we past the longest day and into July than people really do start to say, ‘Dahlias already!’ and to send their frightfully amusing emails to Terry Wogan about how it’s time to put on the sprouts for Christmas. It’s true there are harbingers of autumn at this time of year and to me the most disconcerting is always the sight of a rowan tree laden with berries. Berries mean autumn, right? But here’s the arum starting to turn.



Although there are plenty of pinks and mauves in the garden, ( tawny is starting to take over )