November Update

NOVEMBER

Chrysanthemum goal setting and the joys of Siberian iris

Shorter days with the last blaze of autumn colour, November came and went with a flash. Will and I celebrated 7 years together (a triumph considering how keen I was at the beginning and how he took a touch more convincing), and made headway with a big project which feels very much future bound that I’m looking forward to sharing more about next year. I started performances of our most recent tour of Red Shoes, and whilst balancing weekend field work with weekday tech schedules was no mean feat, the show is now up and running and I’ve got a little more time and headspace for gardening and planning next seasons flowers.

As we prepare to leave east London in January, I’m actively trying to savour the work we’ve done on the garden here. The placement of the flowering cherry (Prunus ‘Shirofugen’) right outside the kitchen doors has marked the passing of the seasons, with its blousy and romantic blossom in early April to a lusciously full green canopy, shielding the kitchen from the midday summer sun, and on to its vibrant autumnal colour now. It’s one of the last plants in the garden to drop its leaves, and Im grateful for its generosity and true work horse spirit.

Working out what we’re going to take with us from this garden has been a shared challenge, and we’ve come a long way from the early disagreements of what we were going to plant in the garden during its planning stage 3 years ago, to now feeling pretty united on what we’re taking and what we’re leaving. Some gems, both for beauty and for sentimental value will be coming with us, including a couple of skimmia bushes my mum brought over to us when the garden was nothing more than a building site on her first and only visit to this space. To be able to nurture them here and then take them with us somewhere new makes it feel like she’s able to come with us as we figure out where we’re going next. Always one for a different point of view with a side of sharp wit, how I wish I could hear what she thinks of all of this!

Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ setting buds for the winter season

The reshuffle at the field continues, with perennials moving from bed to bed and some new species and varieties being added. Something I’ve just put in the ground which I’m very excited about are a group of Siberian iris. 9 varieties in total of these clay tolerating beauties, I find their smaller forms easier to work in to designs than their bearded relatives, and the fact that with a decent mulch they should thrive in my heavy clay soil meant they were top of the list for autumn planting. Whilst the soil temperature has definitely dropped, I’m still making the most of the milder days and will keep shuffling and planting sporadically over the winter.

A few favourite new varieties below which I’m hopeful to share more of next summer.

Iris Sibirica ‘White Amber’, ‘Swan in Flight’ and ‘Cambridge’

With the dahlias cut back and mulched after the first frosts, November is the time when chrysanthemums take centre stage. Without a tunnel, the chrysanths for me are either in the protection of our garden at home or left out to the elements to defend for themselves at the field. Slightly weather beaten but still full of sumptuous colour, with a tactical dead head and prune they’re still bringing me much joy. With hopes of improved propagating skills and winter care, I’m aiming to look after this current cohort better than previous years, and have the cuttings ready to plant out properly late spring.

Chrysanthemum ‘Allouise Salmon’

December brings a Nutcracker season for Will, a stint at Sadler’s Wells for me, more bare root planting and a final wedding at the Connaught in Mayfair to round out the years events.

Busy and full, but wonderful nonetheless.

Thanks for reading.