Michael Myers

The first time that I saw Astilbe ‘Chocolate Shogun’ was in the autumn a couple of years ago, and it went straight onto my ‘wants list’. It is primarily noted for its dark foliage and pale pink flowers, but the autumn tints really are exceptional. #fairviewyearround

Lots of leaves collected from the paths and grass today by students at The Good Shepherd Community Centre. The leaves are transferred to the smaller bay after a year so they can decompose for a further year. The leafmould is generally quite sterile so has a wide range of uses.

I only called in at the garden centre yesterday to get something for College, but ended buying 5 rhododendrons as well. 5l plants originally £25, down to £7 each. I do love a bargain, now where to plant them? #fairviewyearround

Still a bit of colour in and around the garden when I looked out of the window this morning. #fairviewyearround

The lovely autumn colours from Parrotia persica and behind it, Eucryphia glutinosa. #fairviewyearround

The new circular path and wall repairs will have the benefit of lovely borrowed views into the neighbouring woodland and across the valley. #fairviewyearround

Galanthus reginae-olgae ‘Tessera’ has opened today on a dull, overcast day, but it was 9.5C. This cultivar should have 4 outer tepals and 4 inners, but most in this clump don’t. I’m not really bothered as it is a good doer here. #fairviewyearround

Saxifraga fortunei cultivars flower so late that they often get spoilt by the first frosts. These are ‘Pink Cloud’ and var. obtusocuneata ‘Bychan’ in flower presently and they are not the last. #fairviewyearround

Galanthus reginae-olgae ‘Tessera’ in one of the snowdrop beds. Hopefully we will get some sun so that the flowers open out. #fairviewyearround

This Cyclamen purpuresens is still going strong. #fairviewyearround

Allium thunbergii ‘Ozawi’ in a large trough. #fairviewyearround

Symphyotrichum ericoides var. prostratum ‘Snow Flurry’, ground hugging and late, a great choice for Autumn colour on the rock garden. #fairviewyearround

Nerine undulata in the alpine house. #fairviewyearround

Galanthus reginae-olgae ‘Tessera’, doing well on a raised bed. This Melvyn Jope cultivar should have four outer and four inner tepals, but rarely has here. #fairviewyearround

The latest project is rebuilding the walls in the woodland and creating new steps to create a circular walk around the garden. Clearing the stone uncovered a half finished trough (that will be finished) and stone mushroom made by my father over 20 years ago. #fairviewyearround

Am I the only person who doesn't understand the point of 'Traitors'? Recently I sat and watched an episode with my wife having only seen bits before. Whilst trying to be intriguing and dramatic it is just incredibly dull. I'd rather watch paint dry.

Galanthus bursanus on a raised bed. The first (PPBA-A-17-0487) is quite typical, the second has a large, rounded flower and the third (PPBA-B-17-2909) has green-tipped outer tepals. #fairviewyearround

Gentiana sino-ornata ‘Gorau Glas’ is still going strong after nearly two months. #fairviewyearround

I love these delicate autumn flowering daffodils which have a fabulous scent, but are a nightmare to photograph (unless you have a potful). Here are Narcissus viridiflora and its hybrid (with N. obsoletus), Narcissus x alleniae, both from Oron Peri. #fairviewyearround