Autumn

 

The Autumn Season at Westonbirt

Some of the maples in Old Acer Glade date back to 1875 and are believed to be among the earliest imported from Japan. Between 1850 and 1875 the Holfords planted the Colour Circle, where Katsura trees smell of mouth-watering caramel, standing beside Persian Ironwood, maples and spindles to create a perfect amphitheatre. It's here, in what must have been the ultimate picnic site, that the Holfords held their annual 'colour parties'.

On Main Drive you'll find the rich buttery-yellow leaves of the big-bud hickory, and out on the downs the magnificent bronze beeches. As well as a kaleidoscope of leaves, there are fruits and seeds of all colours - from yellow, red and orange to black, pure white and even blue. The spindle trees on Circular Drive - with their orange seeds dangling from waxy pink capsules - are especially eye-catching; but perhaps the most bizarre fruit belongs to the Decaisnea fargesii - steely blue with a strange skin-like texture.

Please see the clip on right to have a taste of Westonbirt in the autumn. If you would like to order a copy of the Heart of The Garden video, use this link to the website.

What makes the leaves change colour in Autumn?

As the days shorten and the nights get cooler, chemical changes take place and a hormone is released that slows the sap flow to each leaf. Eventually, the leaf is sealed off from the branch and as the green chlorophyll fades away, the vivid colours beneath are revealed. The brightest colours are seen when late summer is dry and autumn has bright sunny days and cool nights.

Plants to look out for in Autumn by Hugh Angus, Head of Collections.

   Sorbus maderensis

One of the most attractive is also one of the rarest. Sorbus maderensis is a critically endangered species from Madeira where only 30 trees are left. Our specimen is outside the front of 'Maples' restaurant and at this time of year is covered with large bunches of bright orange fruits. Its small size makes it an excellent plant for a small garden.

Sorbus sargentiana is another species with prolific bunches of up to 10 small orange fruits. Holford originally planted two specimens at the ebd of Willesley Drive but sadly both of these are now gone. Thankfully though we were able to propagate from one of these original trees and the two young trees that now grow in this area are the result.  

Sorbus megolocarpa                                                                                                     

But not all Sorbus fruit is orange. Introduced in 1889, the fruits of Sorbus vilmorinii start deep red but in time gradually turn almost white. A group can be seen just off the link but be prepared for a hunt! Another, Sorbus megalocarpa has brown fruit covered in white specks and can be found off Specimen Avenue. As the species name suggests its fruits are also large (for Sorbus) up to 1inch across.

Lastly, Sorbus domestica, the European Service Tree, deserves a mention because of its unusaul culinary properties - as its fruit are eaten once decay has set in - a state called bletted. They make excellent jams and jellies. The best specimen is off Holford Ride.