Seeing red

Touches of red can bring a winter garden to life, says Val

- Val Bourne

I HATE to sound like the prophet of doom, but it won't be long before the clocks go back. This event is seen as life-changing at the best, or catastrophic at the worst, by many who don't welcome the longer evenings. Personally, as an avid reader and crossword junkie, I can't wait for longer evenings to arrive. I am jaded from hours of gardening until supper, although I admit that the Best Beloved and I eat in time for the 6 o'clock news! The 8 o'clock supper with wine is not for the likes of us.

We have seasons in the Cotswold uplands and, when asked which is my favourite, I always say winter because it allows you to wind down without feeling guilty. The low light shines through the garden and, with the leaves gone, the garden seems larger. I can see further across the fields, into the distance.