Autumn in the gardens at Baddesley Clinton

The dahlias have been grown in the same space here at Baddesley for nearly 20 years and the garden team have gradually seen an increase in pests and diseases. Last year they contracted a mosaic virus which causes the leaves and flowers to distort and stunt the plants growth. This virus could travel to the tubers and soil making the border unsuitable for future dahlia planting. Due to this the team have made the difficult decision not to re-plant the dahlia border for the 2020 season.

This year the dahlia border has been replaced with a pollinator border which is looking beautiful as we head into autumn. The border was created by direct sowing of a proprietary seed mix of species known to attract and provide food for native insects, mainly bees and butterflies. It contains a wide range of annuals and short-lived perennials, some but not all of which are native wildflowers. 

The predominant plant is Lavatera Trimestris, tall growing with pink or white, bell-shaped flowers. This is interspersed with the striking, upright purple spires of Amaranthus Paniculata. A more familiar Amaranthus, known as Love Lies Bleeding, can be found in the cut flower borders. Weaving among these tall plants is a riot of other flowers including the orange and yellow colours of Calendula, Rudbeckia, Gaillardia and Limnathes.

The border will be cleared when the plants die down in winter and will be re-sown next year with a similar mix.
 

The walled garden still has plenty to see in the borders...

...and the vegetable garden still looks good.

The pumpkins from the vegetable garden will all have been harvested and will be used to decorate the property during October for Halloween.

A stroll round the lake is always lovely, and will become even more spectacular as the leaves turn colour.

From late October we ask visitors to help us collect up leaves – a lovely opportunity for people big and small to get involved and help us look after Baddesley – even if just for 10 minutes!