Seasons at Waterperry » Autumn
The Granary in autumn
Apple picking at Waterperry
Keats' famous words about a season of mist and mellow fruitfulness is played out perfectly at Waterperry.
We have grown fruit on the estate for decades and the garden has a collection of more than 50 varieties of apples, mostly trained as espaliers or cordons. Each October we have a special Apple Day event where visitors can come and sample the apples for free.
There's still a lot to see at this time of year. While many gardens rely autumn foliage for colour, Waterperry still has lots of flowers in full bloom. In fact the main herbaceous border in at its very best in late September /early October, when the Asters, Solidago and Rudbeckias are at their very best and provide a dazzling show.
In other parts of the garden the same flowers create a superb scene in the nursery stock beds, whilst the grass collection still looks good even as the foliage turn from green to brown, the fluffy seed heads maintaining their shape into early winter.
In the island beds the perennial plants die back gracefully so there is still a strong structure to the border, but in autumnal browns and reds.
In the shrub borders berrying plants are at their best. Callicarpa, Cotoneaster and most of all Berberis provide a bountiful supply of autumn fruit.
A particular favourite is Berberis prattii, which becomes smothered in translucent pink berries throughout the season.
In mild years late flowering bulbs can take the colour show into November. Schizostylis, Cyclamen and Colchicum all have quite exotic flowers that feel very out of season.