With the extended autumnal mild weather, the autumn colour has been particularly good this year, especially on the trees in our National Collection of American trees and shrubs, which include Maples, American Oaks and American Viburnums. It has also been a bumper year for berries, with the Hollies, Viburnums, Spindles and Roses in particular.

Some of the best spots to see these are: the Chinese Bridge Peninsula walks, the Temple of Bacchus both inside and outside the fenced area and the view across the lake from Fir Walk to the walk alongside the box plants. It’s also worth looking beyond to the borrowed views of the Surrey Hills from viewpoints around Painshill.

At this time of year, the Painshill gardeners are mainly tidying up, leafing and beginning some of the remedial work we carry out over the winter.  Look out for us collecting piles of leaves for the compost heaps, shredding and burning laurel, and mulching the flower beds and borders.

All the tender specimen plants have been taken indoors from the Small Walled Garden, and the beds have been prepared for winter; some have been planted with bulbs for a spring display. Pots of bulbs are also being kept under cover, so we can start dressing the Plant Theatre again in the New Year.