 CREATING AN INDIAN SUMMER
IN THE GARDENWarm days and gentle afternoon sunlight are some of the hallmarks of an Indian Summer. And with the signs of autumn all around us, an Indian Summer is what many of us are hoping for. Whether the weather fulfils our wishes or not, with a little planning you can use the foliage of plants to bring the atmosphere of an Indian Summer to your garden. Using different plants together you can create a mosaic of warm colours and textures at this time of year.
If you'd like to incorporate an Indian Summer theme into your garden, two plants that are particularly useful because of their wonderful autumnal foliage are Virginia Creeper - Parthenocissus and Winged spindle (Euonymous alatus).
Taking the Virginia Creeper first, this plant is especially useful where ground space in the garden is limited. In smaller gardens the Virginia Creeper's habit of growing up walls and fences can be utilised to bring beauty and interest (in spring and summer as well as autumn) to otherwise uninteresting fences and walls. In more spacious gardens, this plant may be grown through a large tree, adding interest to the leafless trunk and inner branches of a mature specimen, (though do make sure it receives sufficient water and nutrition).
The leaves are the dominant feature of Virginia Creeper. The flowers which form in summer are inconspicuous. The leaves tend to be big (10 to 20 cm long) and can be either lobed (forming three 'fingers') or fully divided, meaning that leaves grow in clusters around a central stalk. Parthenocissus henryana and Parthenocissus quinquefolia, both turn bright red in autumn. The leaves of Parthenocissus thomsonii are reddish purple when young, but turn purple-green in summer and bright red in autumn. Virginia Creepers are fully hardy, though Parthenocissus henryana is vulnerable to some frost damage if not grown against a wall. Any fertile, well-drained soil is suitable. In terms of pruning, trim to fit the space available in early winter and, if necessary, after flowering.
The Winged spindle (Euonymous alatus) exhibits even more striking colour in autumn than the Virginia Creeper. A dense, bushy, deciduous shrub, the leaves of Euonymous alatus turn brilliant dark red in autumn, lending a vibrant, warm feel to a shrub border. This plant would also work effectively as a specimen placed in a prime position in the garden, having ample character to stand-alone.
As well as beautiful foliage, the Winged spindle also produces decorative (inedible) fruits in autumn and winter. These are almost spherical in shape and reddish purple in colour. This plant achieves an approximate height of 2m and a spread of 3m. There is also a compact variety available, Euonymus alatus 'Compactus', which reaches a height of 1m. Like Virginia Creeper, this plant will thrive in most garden soils in full sun or light shade.
Planning for autumn colour is a rewarding way of getting the most out of those precious summer-like autumn days. We aren't guaranteed an Indian Summer every year, but the visual impact of these plants in their autumn dress is sure to warm the heart regardless.
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