Autumn is by far my favourite time of year.  Our (often hellishly) hot summer temperatures gradually subside to cooler nights and UV radiation levels dip low enough to allow for gardening sessions without the non-negotiable long sleeves, sunscreen and hat of summer outdoor activities. Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Natchez' in autumn regalia Many of my favorite perennials are in full flower frenzy, intent on making the most of the warmth before the cooler weather sets in. Plants in the tropical garden look good too. After months of balmy temperatures, they have likely forgotten they are living in a temperate climate.  Backlit Canna 'Tropicanna' But more than anything, the reason I like this time of year is for the glowing ethereal quality of autumnal light. The way it comes in sideways, backlighting foliage, seedpods and flower stalks, transforming the mundane into something magical.   Begonia sp. lit up like stained glass I attempted to capture this light during fl

Until recently, an average day for me began with an early morning stroll through my garden, cup of tea in hand and Cosmo the cat weaving in and around my legs as we conduct our morning garden inspections together. Then I’d head out to garden for clients, or up to the nursery where I work part time. On days off, I’d usually be found pottering around my own garden.  Cosmo keeps an eye on the Agastache foeniculum Then I broke my ankle and all garden activities came to a grinding halt. The injury was a silly one; I inelegantly tripped on a door snake in our hallway, twisting and falling awkwardly. X-rays revealed the need for surgery and the installation of some gnarly metal hardware with a long period of recovery downtime. This was not the news this gardener wanted to hear! Ankle surgery and gardening don't mix   Not being able to garden has been interesting. My immediate thought, when the accident first happened was... ‘how on earth am I going to water my (600+) pot plants*!?’  My o