5th October.

To start the month, I reduced Halesia to one trunk and top growth and shaved Kolkwitzia severely, so now you can see through to the chicken run arboretum, which is not really what I wanted, but when the Quercus dentata grows bigger, it should prove a visual barrier - one doesn’t want to see too much at once. The lower branches of Cunninghamia by the obelisk walk were removed to allow more light for the M. chingii and martinii. On a positive note, I bought a lovely small Sorbus pseudovilmorinii, and a Malus sieboldii ‘Scarlett’ with good coloured leaves, red/pink blossom and good autumn colour. Both I put opposite the lower rhododendron bed.

The greenhouse was emptied and I made a new staging to replace the rotting one, and cleared 6 bags of junk out - much clearer and more room for overwintering plants.

10th October.

Further severe reductions by Halesia - rose removed, Eleagnus quicksilver down to one stem, Magnolia Yellow River (irritating thing) also.; M. Peppermint Stick, cut all round, and now light in the bed for what’s left. In the midst of the undergrowth, the Cardiocrinum which I’d forgotten was there, obviously flowered unseen in June, rather irritatingly. The rose (seedling rambler) smothered an awful lot. 

I also removed Amelanchier lamarckii from the upper part of the long vista - completely useless thing; white blossom for about a week, then nothing. Three bonfires are growing again, but the torrential rain continues and everything is saturated. Rob & James strimmed down the back drive - we must try and keep it clear.

15th October.

Rain & more rain, so still impossible to have 1) a bonfire (the pile keeps growing) 2) mowing. More sawing and chainsawing; the Acacia pravissima dead wood and the cordylines dead wood as far as I could reach. A further ring taken off the monkey puzzle as well. Interestingly, around the stumps of last year’s ring removal, there are tiny sprouts from the trunk. It obviously doesn’t want it’s crown lifted.

19th October.

The fascicularia was looking good this morning against the newly lifted trunks of Chamaerops.

27th October.

More chainsawing and bonfiring and it has actually been dry for a week, so one is frantically making use of the weather. Two days ago, Martyn (Rix) and I did a trip to Cornwall to Tregrehan and Tregye with a break at Burncoose to buy some  plants. John Lanyon was on hand to show us round Tregye and one wondered at the amazing collection of rare & wonderful shrubs & trees (almost in the dark at the end!). I came away with an armful of evergreen branches, and spent yesterday making cuttings of them. A beautiful Schima sp. and an Illicium sp.  Magnolia moto etc. I hope they work out. The autumn colours continue stunning but not long-lasting.

I am struck by how beautiful Zelkova ‘Kiwi Sunset is - going a good yellow with a graceful habit (far right of photo)

October 28th.

Pouring rain this afternoon, but I planted a Magnolia foveolata cinerascens type in place of the previous one which was struggling. I hope this one does better. I enriched the soil and dug in more leaf mould etc. and added the last of the mycorrhizal pellets to the roots. I also dug out the M. yuyuanensis x virginiana plant and potted it up; it has not been happy in the ‘oak wood’ area. May be too dry for the virginiana bit which needs moisture.

I have seen a very good specimen of M. virginiana ‘Moon Glow’ at the garden centre - thought it was a Michelia at first. That will definitely need a moist spot, so I have (?temporarily) eschewed buying it.

October 30th.

Oh no I didn’t! I planted Magnolia virginiana ‘Moonglow’ behind the summerhouse.