September bloom

11:05am Saturday 27th September 2008

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The sun we have had, on and off, during these last days of September has given late summer flowers and, in one case in our garden, finally brought a mid-summer plant into bloom.

Phlox paniculata Fujiyama is a white flowered cultivar with one-metre tall stems topped by trusses of pure coloured blooms. It grows in semi-shade in our garden in good, well-drained soil but is slow in flowering and usually only gets to its best at the end of August. This year it was even slower and has only now managed to open out fully and give us a good display. Although supposedly happy in partial shade, I wonder if the lack of sun during the past few summers means it needs to be placed in a more open spot where it can benefit from even the most fleeting passage of rays on its leaves and buds.

On the other hand, maybe I should celebrate the late arrival of this perennial. It fits neatly into the flower scheme, following on from pinkish white Veronicastrum and rich blue Platycodon or Balloon flower and just before a tiny-blossomed Michaelmas daisy whose name has been forgotten but could be a variety of Aster ericoides.

The fairly tall stems and bushy growth of the phlox hides the lower, bare stems of the shrubs behind for much of the year and it seems to be an easy and unfussy plant to grow. And anyway, maybe we will have a better summer next year.

Weekend catch-up Make time this weekend to get the last of the daffodil bulbs planted in the garden.

Unlike tulips, which are better planted in November or December, daffodils are best done as soon as possible in early autumn.

Daffodils will grow in sun or light shade and prefer reasonably well-drained soil – heavy, damp conditions can cause the bulbs to rot.

Make the planting hole deep enough for the bulb to be covered to twice its depth in soil – a layer of grit in the bottom of the hole will improve drainage if necessary.

Plant fair Flower Power Fairs will hold a plant fair at Duncombe Park, in Helmsley, tomorrow, from 10am to 4pm.

More than 15 award-winning nurseries, many from the North, will be selling a diverse range of garden plants for gardeners needing something to cheer up the garden in winter, as well as those planning ahead for next spring and summer.

Early autumn is a good time of year for planting, the soil is still warm and new plants have time to settle before the weather gets colder. Several of the nurseries have had stands at the big shows in our region, such as the Harrogate flower shows and the Great Yorkshire Show, as well as further afield at RHS Tatton Park and Malvern.

Admission to the plant fair is £2 for adults, with children under 14 years free.

Fungus foray

Autumn is upon us and, to celebrate, Thorpe Perrow Arboretum in Bedale, North Yorkshire, is offering a series of Sunday events about woodland fungi.

Four fungus forays will take place at the arboretum starting tomorrow and continuing on Sundays October 5, October 12 and finally on October 26. Each of the forays begins at 1pm and will be led by Dr Keith Thomas, of Sunderland University. Bring a basket and discover the secret world of the fungus family.

Thorpe Perrow Arboretum will also be hosting several expert-led walks in its autumn colour tours. These will take place on Wednesday, October 15, Sunday, October 19, Friday, October 24, and Tuesday, October 28, all beginning at 1pm.

The Thorpe Perrow Estate was bought in 1927 by the grandfather of the current owner, Sir John Ropner, whose father, Sir Leonard Ropner, planned and planted the arboretum. It is now home to five National Plant Collections – Ash, Cotinus, Laburnum, Lime and Walnut. In 2004, the National Tree Register of the British Isles designated 67 of its trees as “champion trees”.

For more details about any of the events or about the arboretum phone 01677 425323 or visit www.thorpeterrow.com

TV and Radio

• Tomorrow 8am, BBC Radio Humberside, Gardening Phone-in. Telephone number 01482 225959.

9am, BBC Radio Leeds, In The Garden. With Tim Crowther and Joe Maiden.

2pm, BBC Radio 4, Gardeners’ Question Time. A postbag edition with John Cushnie, Anne Swithinbank, Matthew Biggs and chairman Eric Robson. The gardening weather forecast is at 2.25pm.

• Friday, October 3 8.30pm, BBC2, Gardeners’ World. Toby Buckham looks at ways of storing fruit over the winter and how to ensure a good blueberry crop next year.

• Saturday, October 4 7am, BBC Radio York, Plant Surgery. With presenter Julia Booth and garden expert Nigel Harrison. Tel: 01904 641641.