Autumn is really here now and it has been an unusual year so far for all involved in growing plants. Some things have thrived while others struggled or didn’t even make it. But generally I think years such as this and the very wet 2012 show how resilient most plants are and how they will adapt to survive whatever happens.

Here at Standen, many of our plants were very late coming into flower, but they eventually caught up and we are now back on track, with our autumn plantings looking at their best. Recent years have seen a vast increase in the popularity of planting for autumn colour and this benefits both the look of the garden, but also many of the insects such as bees, which rely on a late source of pollen and nectar to keep them going through the winter.

Among the best plants now are rudbeckia (pictured left), dahlia, aster (michaelmas daisies and related) and the later cornflowers. Often these, along with several other varieties, are covered with bees and hoverflies on warm, sunny days in September. Michaelmas daisies have been grown here at Standen for a long time and visitors to the Beale family, who created the garden, used to remark on the great numbers of them in the borders around the house. Although they were once notorious for suffering from mildews, newer varieties are much healthier and will continue looking at their best until the frosts arrive.

At this time of year we also begin our autumn lawn maintenance work, building up the strength of the grass for winter and repairing any damage that has occurred during the summer by filling in hollows with topsoil, spiking to allow air and moisture through to the roots and re-seeding any bare patches – all of this helps to ensure your lawn will look good for next year.

Don’t forget to plant bulbs as well – many are now available in garden centres, nurseries and from catalogues, and a small investment now will bring great joy and colour after the long dark days of winter.

  • Standen, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4NE, Tel: 01342 323029, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/standen
  • House, garden, restaurant and shop open every day from Feb 16 to Dec 24 (weekends only from Nov 9 to 24)