Askham Bryan College at Stewart Park, Marton, Middlesbrough
This time of year there is a lot of autumn foliage around, but the amount of flowers is starting to getting harder to find. This shrub, Mahonia X charity, is so reliable, it has wonderful architectural leaves. It’s tough, evergreen and its bright yellow shuttlecock flowers are sweetly scented too – any late bees are in for a treat.
Related posts: Star of the Garden – October, Star of the Garden – August, Star of the Garden – July
Even though it’s October there is still plenty to see in the Walled Garden, as well as the wider park. Autumn foliage is just starting and this beauty never fails. The star of the garden this month has to be Stags Horn Sumach, otherwise known as Rhus typhina.
There’s lost to touch and see when it comes to this tree; people ask why it’s called Stags Horn, well the young growth is covered in a downy velvet, just like a stags horn. Children love it! It’s a great little tree for a small garden, but it does have a tendency to produce suckers. For this reason it is quite often grown in grass and the cutting keeps them at bay. Sometimes on mature specimens, flower heads like candles appear. It’s a super little tree.
Related posts: Star of the Garden – August, Star of the Garden – July, Star of the Garden – June
Well that’s it – autumn is here. The first sign for me is the subtle changes in colour of the trees along my drive along the A174 on the way to my job at Stewart Park; it’s always the first indicator that autumn is knocking at the door.
Continue reading “Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn in Stewart Park”
It’s been a hectic old time this summer in the walled gardens with it being the school holidays. All visitors use the area in their own ways and for their own ends. Some families just pass straight through on their way from the café to the playgrounds; others meet friends for coffee and cake – a great idea. However some linger longer, spending time looking at flowers and mini-beasts alike.
The Victorian Walled Garden at Stewart Park
This month’s star of the garden is the lovely Delphinium known as the “Pacific Hybrid”. It looked so stunning that I just couldn’t resist capturing it.
These young plants were sown last autumn, potted, overwintered in the greenhouse and were finally put in their position this spring. I didn’t expect them to flower so well. Warm weather and then lots of recent rain played their part I think.
Related posts: Star of the Garden – June, Star of the Garden – May, Star of the Garden – March