Our gardens are probably looking at their peak around this time – to be enjoyed every day. However, if you see a gardener standing back from their herbaceous border chances are that apart from taking pleasure they are making critical mental notes. How to improve it next year is always on our mind.
You think you will remember summer days and how your plants looked for months to come but in my experience you never do. The only way to be sure is to take photos. Don’t worry about being artistic – just go around your garden with your phone or camera and record what you see. I try to do this in spring, high summer and late summer/autumn. I am too weedy to do it in winter but you should really.
Some highly organised people make a garden diary – if you are a professional in charge of a large garden this is a must. What you do need to do is bear in mind that there are certain times which are best for planting. Spring bulbs have to be planted in autumn and some perennials are best done at this time too, others prefer the spring.
The other use for a camera is taking a peek at other people’s gardens and snapping something that you fancy. I saw these lovely Anemone ‘Wild Swan’ which are a delight. And I really want to check out some Astrantia Major which last a good long time.
‘Claret’ is a good one to add some depth of colour to blues and purples. But that’s me – what would you change in your garden right now? Snap it – then change it for next year.
