A Season of Colour and Preparation
There is something quietly magical about our gardens in autumn. After the riot of summer, the landscape softens, mellows, and glows with hues that only this season can conjure. In Kent & Sussex, the hedgerows brim with hips and haws, woodlands are gilded in russets and golds, and our gardens echo these colours in their own graceful way. autumn is both a celebration of harvest and a gentle reminder to prepare for the colder months ahead.
The pleasure of a garden lies in its contrasts. On one hand, the warmth of late flowers still brightens borders asters, rudbeckias and sedums carry colour long after summer’s show has faded. On the other, ornamental grasses catch the low sun and dance in the breeze, their feathery plumes bringing a softness to the garden that is uniquely autumnal. Japanese anemones, with their delicate pale petals, thrive in partial shade and add lightness to even the gloomiest corner.
For many gardeners, this is also the season of abundance. Apples, pears and late plums hang heavy on branches, while squash and pumpkins bring vibrant oranges to the vegetable patch. There is a simple joy in gathering the last of the harvest, storing what you can for winter and perhaps turning surplus fruits into chutneys, compotes or warming pies. The Kent and Sussex orchards are at their most generous in these weeks, reminding us why this corner of England has long been known as the Garden of England.
The pleasure of a garden lies in its contrasts. On one hand, the warmth of late flowers still brightens borders asters, rudbeckias and sedums carry colour long after summer’s show has faded. On the other, ornamental grasses catch the low sun and dance in the breeze, their feathery plumes bringing a softness to the garden that is uniquely autumnal. Japanese anemones, with their delicate pale petals, thrive in partial shade and add lightness to even the gloomiest corner.
For many gardeners, this is also the season of abundance. Apples, pears and late plums hang heavy on branches, while squash and pumpkins bring vibrant oranges to the vegetable patch. There is a simple joy in gathering the last of the harvest, storing what you can for winter and perhaps turning surplus fruits into chutneys, compotes or warming pies. The Kent and Sussex orchards are at their most generous in these weeks, reminding us why this corner of England has long been known as the Garden of England.
Local gardens and estates are at their most spectacular in autumn, offering inspiration for our own plots. Sheffield Park in East Sussex is renowned for its blazing autumn displays, where lakeside reflections double the fire-reds of maples and the burnished tones of oaks. Over at Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent, the famous “White Garden” gives way to the rich tapestry of the late borders, proving that a garden can be just as compelling in October as in June. Bateman’s, once home to Rudyard Kipling, shows another side of autumnal beauty, with mellow lawns, fruiting orchards, and the golden glow of Sussex countryside all around.
Yet autumn is not simply about looking back at summer’s bounty it is also about looking forward. This is the time to plant spring bulbs, tucking daffodils, tulips and crocuses into the soil while it is still soft. Garden centres across the county are brimming with inspiration, and a little effort now will reward you with a riot of colour when the grey of winter finally lifts.
Clearing fallen leaves, pruning back perennials, and mulching borders all help to keep the garden healthy. Some, however, prefer a looser approach, leaving seedheads and piles of leaves for wildlife. A garden in autumn is a vital habitat seedheads feed the birds, hollow stems shelter insects, and fallen leaves offer hedgehogs a cosy place to nest.
Autumn evenings may be cooler, but they bring with them a sense of stillness that feels restorative. Sitting outdoors with a blanket, a mug of something warm and the glow of a firepit allows you to appreciate the season’s beauty in comfort. Lanterns, fairy lights and log-burners can transform a patio into a welcoming haven well into October and November.
In the end, the garden in autumn is about rhythm. It’s a time when nature pauses, resets, and reminds us that every ending is the beginning of something new. For gardeners in Kent and Sussex, this is a season to gather, to plan, and to simply enjoy the quiet splendour of our region’s gardens in their glory.