Mists and mellow Fruitfulness

The late-November garden has so much to offer and can be made to reflect the gentle observations of the great poet John Keats, says Anne Swithinbank

- Anne Swithinbank

THE phrase ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ is taken from the poem entitled To Autumn written by British poet John Keats in 1819. In the summer I visited the house near Hampstead Heath in London where Keats used to live and was surprised to learn he died of ill-health at the age of 25, never knowing that his poems would one day be famous. To Autumn was inspired by country walks near Winchester in Hampshire, and moves through the season, ending with stubble fields and robins whistling their autumn song.

Late-November garden This is echoed in the late-November garden where there is often more mist than mellowness. Days are short, flowers sparse and only the oaks and beech retain their leaves. We are glad of the yellowing foliage on lily-of-the-valley and Solomon’s seal, the pale-silvery plumes of grasses and bright bursts from hips, haws and berries. Most apples have been picked, but fat, aromatic quinces and squat medlars are left until just before the first serious frosts.

Apart from lawn edges and pathways, I resist the urge to cut and clear as some chaos and growth is better for garden wildlife. Robins are the most evident, singing at dawn and dusk to maintain their territories. Redwings group and chatter before swooping on fallen fruit.

Improving the late-November outlook can be a tough call but might start by adding some low beech hedges. These can be a nuisance in spring when russet leaves are finally shed, but this seems a small price to pay for such a lengthy display and roosting sparrows will love them. The foot of a beech hedge is a good place for hardy cyclamen to grow, choosing C. hederifolium for autumn flowers and C. coum to bloom in spring.