Gardens Illustrated Magazine October 2021

There’s been a shift in recent years as to how, as gardeners, we should consider autumn. On the one hand, it is most definitely the time to start looking and planning ahead (hopefully your orders are in and your bulbs awaiting planting). On the other hand, autumn is no longer seen as a time to start shutting down the garden. There is plenty more to enjoy both in terms of long-flowering plants and an acceptance of beauty in decay, not to mention the homes and shelter that plants, at the end of their growing season, offer to wildlife. Last month’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show was the perfect showcase for all that is still glorious and key in our gardens as we pass the autumn equinox. To help immerse ourselves in the…

Rory Dusoir Rory introduces us to the best evergreen ferns, page 56. “Ferns are indispensable foliage plants, more varied and adaptable than might be thought. Evergreen ferns are particularly valuable to gardeners.” Jacky Hobbs Jacky visits a steeply sided plot in Berkshire, page 64. “The garden is really energising. Colour, texture, structure, movement, wildlife and water are all harmonised within a third-of-an-acre plot.” Will Salter Will photographs a Sam Cox-designed Australian garden, page 88. “With Sam’s plant knowledge and creativity, it was a joy to capture a garden that seems to blend into the wild coastal landscape.”…

James Basson James lives in the South of France where he runs Scape Design with his wife Helen, specialising in low-maintenance and dry gardens. He is a fervent advocate for creating sustainable landscapes. The winner of four Chelsea Gold medals, he was awarded Best in Show in 2017. Fergus Garrett Fergus was appointed head gardener at Great Dixter by Christopher Lloyd in 1993. He is passionate about passing on his knowledge through student programmes at Dixter and worldwide lectures. He was awarded an RHS Associate of Honour in 2008 and an RHS Victoria Medal of Honour in 2019. Anna Pavord Anna’s books include her bestseller The Tulip and most recently Landskipping. For 30 years she was The Independent’s gardening correspondent. In 2000 the RHS awarded her the Veitch Memorial Medal. She lives and gardens in…

Fragile world “I have always been fascinated by the idea of how humans rely on nature for survival yet seem to forget this essential fact in everyday life,” says the London-based Israeli artist Zadok Ben-David, who this month gets his first UK-based solo exhibition since 2008 incorporating new and existing works. Exploring themes of tragedy and hope, the exhibition will shine a creative light on the relationship between people and the natural world with as its centrepiece a site-specific floor installation Blackfield (above). Comprising more than 17,000 hand-painted, steel-etched flowers, derived from illustrations in 19th-century botanical encyclopedias, this 360-degree artwork, assembled by hand, plays on sensations of perception and perspective, and allows visitors to immerse themselves in Ben-David’s unique vision of nature. Zadok Ben-David: Natural Reserve is at the Shirley Sherwood…

1 Visit Yeo Valley Organic Garden Explore over six-and-a-half acres of edible and ornamental plants as Yeo Valley opens its organic garden on Saturdays until 30 October, 10am-5pm. Advance booking essential. Holt Farm, Bath Road, Blagdon, Bristol BS40 7SQ. Tel 01761 462798, yeovalley.co.uk 2 Autumn at Hever Castle Soak up the autumn colour at Hever Castle and Gardens in Kent with stunning foliage around the garden including the famous Boston ivy, which reaches its peak this month. Until 31 October› Tickets can be booked online in advance. Hever Road, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG. Tel 01732 865224, hevercastle.co.uk 3 Japan Festival at Kew Explore the art, plants and culture of Japan this month as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, opens its autumnal momijigari trail of plants with red leaves, taking in Japanese landmarks such as…

6. Cargo Trousers ES Vintage, Ladies, moss/black, £65.88, 01252 607855, engelbert-strauss.co.uk 7. Hawkesbury Round Head Pruner, ash, £14, 01993 845559, gardentrading.co.uk…